Role of police in disaster management with special reference to Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

The present study was designed to explore the role of police in disaster management with special reference to Himachal Pradesh. Police played a very important role in all phases of disaster management i.e., Pre-disaster (Disaster Preparedness), during and after the disaster. The community identifies police as the first responders and forming a first line of defence in any kind of disaster situation has a greater chance of saving lives in the Golden Hours. The majority of the affected persons do not know/care whether disaster management comes under the mandate of the police or not. They expect the police to help them out in such situations. Being police are the first responders doing all the work in disaster but still, not recognition of a specific role in the Disaster Management Act, of 2005 instead of specifying the role of specialized forces like Paramilitary forces, the Army, and NDRF. After the enactment of the Disaster Management Act 2005, most of the state governments have focused on enhancing the capacity building and training of specialized forces instead of local police to deal with Disaster emergencies. There is a lack of studies and no comprehensive research study found that specifically focuses on the role of police in Disaster Management. Hence there is a strong need to undertake a study of this nature which would really be beneficial to academia, researchers; and disaster teams both at the National and International levels. newline