EFFICACY OF BULLET-PROOF JACKETS PURCHASED IN ASSAM

The death of the brave Bhaskar Kalita, OC of Bordumsa Police Station in a fierce encounter with ULFA(I) cadre has raised serious questions about the competency of Bullet-Proof jackets in the state. Kalita’s death has now put the Assam Police under scrutiny as it is revealed that the Police Officer was shielded  in a Bullet Proof jacket during the gun firing. Even after being equipped with a bullet proof jacket, two of the nine bullets of Tavor X95 rifle he received on his body had passed through the jacket.

It is not the first time that  such an incident has surfaced. About two years back, the CAG had pointed out the purchase of such equipments of dubious standard. Such an incident has again caused the succumbing of an able Police Officer to death.

It will be interesting to see if any enquiry is instituted by the government of the procurement and tendering process of such equipments. The agility of the government to probe into the matter and preventing  such occurrences in future will be a matter of concern.