Port Blair, Jan. 20: The Police Control Room Vehicles are the first responders and perform perhaps the most important tasks of policing. The first three PCR Vans were introduced in the year 2004 to cover the jurisdictions of Police Stations Aberdeen, Pahargaon and Chatham. Surprisingly, the number remained static till the year 2010, when eight additional vans were manned and pressed into service. These vans covered the areas of South Andaman. In an initiative to cover more areas of Andaman Islands, additional PCR Vans now function at Hut Bay, Rangat, Mayabunder, Car Nicobar, Havelock and Diglipur by the end of this year Katchal, Campbell Bay, Baratang, Kadamtala and Kalighat will also be covered.

A study of the records of the last seven months of the year 2011 shows that in the Port Blair area these PCR vehicles had attended 277 calls regarding road accidents and, wherever required they transported the victims to G.B. Pant Hospital and the accused persons to the concerned Police Station. In addition, on 145 occasions persons in need of medical care were evacuated to the hospital. On 233 occasions intoxicated persons either being aggressive, committing public nuisance or lying on the road unattended were either arrested or conveyed to the hospital or handed over to family members at their homes. These vans also attended 20 calls concerning Unnatural Deaths and 141 cases of harassment of women. In addition, there were several land dispute cases, marital fights, instances of fights between two individual or groups, complaints of loud-speaker menace, marriage and political processions, theft cases and fire accidents. In Law and Order situations, these vans were all directed to report at the same spot so that a seizable strength of policemen could be present until the arrival of the local SHO and police station staff. These has been an attempt to minimize the gaps between the average time between incoming calls and the arrival of the PCR Vans at the spot, which at present is under 5 minutes within the municipal limits.

It is deplorable that some evil elements make fake calls. This diverts the PCR Vans from performing their actual tasks. However now a system has been introduced so that the call can be traced and legal action can be taken against these mischievous individuals.