In a major boost to the Bihar Police force, Chief Minister Mr. Nitish Kumar on Saturday handed over appointment letters to 21,391 newly recruited constables at a large-scale event held at Bapu Auditorium in Patna. The move signals a strong intent to strengthen law and order in the state, especially as it braces for upcoming Assembly elections.
CM Emphasises Urgency in Police Recruitment
Addressing a massive gathering of recruits, officials, and media, Mr. Kumar asserted the government’s commitment to ramping up the police strength and filling all existing vacancies. “We now have over 1.10 lakh police personnel in the Bihar Police. If needed, we will appoint even more,” he declared.
In a rare public interaction directly from the stage, the Chief Minister posed a pointed question to senior bureaucrats including the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary of Home, and the Director General of Police (DGP):
“Tell me, will you fill the vacant posts soon?”
From 42,000 to Over One Lakh: A Steady Climb in Force Strength
Mr. Kumar compared the present force size with that of November 2005, when he first assumed office as CM. “Back then, there were only 42,481 police personnel. We decided to raise that number significantly to enhance public safety,” he said.
He also underlined the effectiveness of the 2013 policy that reserved 35 per cent of police jobs for women, resulting in a more inclusive and diverse police force. This reservation has significantly contributed to Bihar now having the highest number of women in the police force across the country.
Targeting 2.29 Lakh Police Personnel
Reiterating the government’s target of raising the police force to 2.29 lakh, Mr. Kumar urged the administration to speed up the pending recruitment of 55,000 personnel.
“Do the recruitment quickly. Complete the remaining 55,000 soon,” he directed officials, stressing that timely recruitment is essential for law and order and public trust.
A Lighter Moment Amid Serious Business
The event also saw a light moment when, during the distribution of appointment letters, Mr. Kumar unexpectedly held Minister Vijay Chaudhary’s hand and moved him aside. A surprised Chaudhary smiled and stepped back, as Energy Minister Mr. Bijendra Prasad Yadav stepped forward to assist in the distribution.
Political and Governance Implications
This mass recruitment comes at a politically sensitive time for Mr. Kumar, who has faced criticism from the opposition over deteriorating law and order in Bihar. The appointment of over 21,000 new constables is being seen as a step towards not only administrative reform, but also public reassurance and electoral positioning.
By highlighting past achievements and setting clear expectations for future recruitment, Mr. Kumar reaffirmed his government’s focus on transparency, gender equity, and institutional strengthening in Bihar’s policing structure.
