Crusaders

The young couple who got into the Nauchandi Express three-tier sleeper coach did so because there were no other seats available on the train. They assumed, incorrectly then, that the trip from Lucknow to Meerut would be short and enjoyable. Just then, two GRP constables walked into their bogey and began misbehaving with the couple. The husband protested, without revealing his identity. When the train reached Meerut, the young man in question, IPS officer Amitabh Thakur, who was then senior superintendent of police economic offences, lodged a formal complaint with the police about which he and his wife Dr Nutan Thakur has been subjected to. Since then, the Lucknow-Meerut run has been cured, at least, of the eve teasing phenomena.

Currently SP (Rules and Manuals) UP, Thakur, a 1992 batch IPS officer, is not your run-of-the-mill cop. His devotion to work and to the people mark him out as a stand out performer. During his 18-year service, he has served in 10 districts of the vast state in a variety of assignments; special branch, vigilance, CID etc, but those come as matter of routine to IPS officers. Where Thakur excels is the `other’ roles that has plays.

Member National RTI Forum, chairman IRDS which examines issues close to judicial reforms and human rights and recently a graduate from IIM Lucknow. In these roles he has pursued reforms in UP’s two premier educational institutes, IIM and his alma mater IIT Kanpur and has gained much acclaim. In a writ filed before the Lucknow high court, Thakur has demanded that Hindi be made a language for the entrance examinations at the IIM. He has similarly moved court highlighting the precarious position of casual labourers at IIT, Kanpur.

As an RTI activist, he has called for more protection for its activists. Says Thakur, “While it is true that it is possible to do public service as a police officer, I have found non-governmental action helps in broad basing the movement.’’

Asked how he handled opposition and his rivals, Thakur points out that like most activists he has his share of worries to tackle, including oppression and propaganda “but being a police officer has helped’’ because even well entrenched vested interests find it difficult to launch a direct attack against him.

Most unusual for a police officer to sit on dharnas and protests, Thakur has as his wife a co-activist who is willing to accompany her husband at all trouble spots. Now even son Aditya and daughter Tanya join the parents on their little sojourns. Author of many books, he is currently engrossed in crafting ‘Clerks in Khaki’, an enjoyable insider account of the life and times of 30 well known police officers. Pretty certain to catapult him into the league of writers.