Use of smartphones blamed for weapon snatching in Kashmir
Srinagar, May 24: Use of smartphones and casual approach to work were on Thursday blamed for the increasing number of incidents of weapon snatching in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a detailed order, A.K. Choudhary, the Additional Director General of Armed Police, said: "It has been observed that recent weapon snatching incidents have occurred (as) sentries on duty remain engaged with their smartphones for most of the time, thereby compromising with their legitimate duty.
"This tendency has considerably increased and resulted in weapon snatching/killing of policemen in the state, particularly in the Valley.
"All guard personnel shall ensure compliance of the standing drill in letter and spirit."
The order imposed a blanket ban on use of smartphones during guard duty hours and also said that the weapon must be chained to the guard's body as per the standard instructions contained in the drill for such duties.
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PWD, Google Maps officials booked in Bareilly bridge death case
Budaun (UP), Nov 25: Police here have booked officials of the Public Works Department and Google Maps in connection with the death of three men whose car rolled over an under-construction bridge while following directions on the navigation app, an officer on Monday said.
The car fell into the Ramganga river from a partially constructed bridge in Dataganj Police Station area early Sunday.
Nitin and Ajit, aged 30, both brothers from Farrukhabad district, and Amit, 40, from Mainpuri district, were on their way from Noida to Faridpur in Bareilly to attend a wedding.
According to police, the driver was led by Google Maps into taking the unsafe route.
The incident took place on the Bareilly-Budaun border.
Dataganj Police Station SHO Gaurav Bishnoi said an FIR on charges of laxity in duty and others was filed against four engineers of the PWD, along with some unknown people.
The regional officer of Google Map has also been brought under the scope of investigation. His name is yet to be included in the FIR.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson of Google in a statement said, "Our deepest sympathies go out to the families. We're working closely with the authorities and providing our support to investigate the issue."
On Sunday, Faridpur Circle Officer Ashutosh Shivam said, "Earlier this year, floods caused the front portion of the bridge to collapse onto the river, but this change had not been updated in the system."
He said the bridge had no safety barriers or warning signs on the approach.
