Re-checking of BMI of 'obese' Assam Police personnel begins
Guwahati, Jan 2: In a bid to ensure a professional outfit, the re-examination of body mass index (BMI) of "obese" Assam Police personnel began on Tuesday, a top official said.
Police personnel, who will fail to meet the required standard will undergo an 'assessment' of the factors due to which they could not make it, as the exercise is aimed at improving "fitness of the force and not punishing anyone", another official said.
The review of BMI of 1,884 police personnel started at Jorhat, Silchar and Guwahati, Director General of Police GP Singh said.
The state police had conducted the body mass index (BMI) check of all personnel in August last year with the director general of police (DGP) undergoing the screening test first.
"As a follow up to BMI testing in August 2023, the re-examination of 1,884 @assampolice personnel who fell in Obese category (30+ BMI) would start at Guwahati, Silchar and Jorhat from January 2nd 2024," Singh wrote on X on Monday.
Body mass index is a measurement of a person's weight with respect to his or her height. According to the World Health Organization, a BMI over 25 is considered overweight, and over 30 is obese.
Reaffirming stress on physical fitness, the DGP said, "Hope most of them have shaped up in the three months period given. We remain committed to provide people of Assam a professional and fit Police Unit."
The exercise is being carried out to ensure better health of the serving personnel, another officer said on condition of anonymity.
"Our aim is to have a healthy police force. If someone cannot achieve the BMI standard due to medical reasons, it's a different matter.
"But if someone cannot meet it without any underlying medical condition, we will make an assessment of the reasons for it," he said.
There could be reasons like the nature of assignment or place of posting or something else, the officer said.
"Depending on why the personnel are not being able to meet the BMI standard, the decision will be taken. It has to be a policy-level decision," he said.
Asked if a policeman failing to meet the requirements could lose their jobs, he refused to comment.
"We want our force to be a fit one. That is the basic idea behind this exercise, not to punish anyone," he said.
Nearly 2.5 per cent of the police personnel, who had undergone BMI tests in August last year, were found obese and were put under medical care to make them fit, Singh had said earlier.
Altogether 70,161 personnel had undergone such a test in the first phase of the exercise, and of them, 1,748 were found to have BMI readings of over 30, he said.
The DGP had earlier said that all those who would not be able to reduce their weight by the end of the stipulated period would be offered a voluntary retirement option, except for those who have genuine medical reasons like thyroidism.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had previously advocated removing the 'dead wood' from the police force - habitual drinkers, those with extreme obesity and with charges of corruption - to turn the force into a responsive and action-oriented one.
As a follow up to BMI testing in August 2023, the re-examination of 1884 @assampolice personnel who fell in Obese category (30+ BMI) would start at Guwahati, Silchar and Jorhat from January 2nd 2024. Hope most of them have shaped up in the three months period given. We remain…
— GP Singh (@gpsinghips) January 1, 2024
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Hundreds of TVK supporters return disappointed from cancelled swearing in ceremony venue
Chennai (PTI): Hundreds of TVK supporters, fuelled by the hope of seeing their leader Vijay as chief minister, gathered at Nehru Indoor Stadium in the city on Thursday, only to be met with locked gates and a lack of information regarding the scheduled proceedings.
Many supporters, travelling from various parts of the state, near and far, like Arumbakkam and Coimbatore, expressed deep disappointment and confusion upon finding the premises closed and without official communication.
Speaking to PTI Videos, fans and party loyalists described a sense of heartbreak after arriving early to secure a place in line.
Charulatha, a supporter, noted the emotional toll of the situation: "We came with so much joy thinking he would become the chief minister today, but there is nothing here. The gates are closed. It is very painful."
Sai Deepika, her daughter and a student set to enter the 12th grade, shared her excitement for the event: "I was very excited to be here. I have been telling everyone he will win and do good things for the people."
A visibly distressed Gunasundari, a long-time political observer from a family of AIADMK supporters, stated she shifted her loyalty to Vijay: "I publicly say I voted for Vijay. I have a belief that he will help those in need. Seeing the gates closed like this is a shock."
Despite the confusion on the ground, the gathered crowd remained steadfast in their political choice. Several supporters highlighted Vijay’s decision to fund party activities independently as a key reason for their trust.
"He didn't take a single rupee from the people for his flag or the stage. He did it all himself," said an emotional Gunasundari. "Even if they try to shame him or create obstacles, he is the one who will eventually win."
Many attendees cited news reports and social media claims as their reason for arriving early on Thursday morning. Some supporters mentioned they had travelled via public transport and waited for hours under the impression that an official declaration or event was imminent.
"My son told me that declarations were made yesterday and everyone was coming today," Gunasundari added. "I didn't even tell him I was leaving; I just started my journey to see him in person for the first time".
