Police Station Pahargaon in South Andaman district has brought national recognition to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands by securing the second rank at the all-India level in the Ministry of Home Affairs’ annual “Best Police Stations” evaluation. The ranking was announced during the recently concluded Director General of Police and Inspector General of Police Conference held at IIM Raipur.
The distinction places Pahargaon Police Station among the top-performing police stations in the country, following a rigorous, objective and multi-layered evaluation conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs using nationally standardised performance indicators. The assessment framework subjects police stations across states and Union Territories to the same benchmarks, regardless of size, geography or resource base.
The evaluation examines a wide range of operational and service-related parameters. These include crime prevention and detection with specific focus on crimes against women, offences involving weaker sections, property crimes, and cases related to missing and unidentified persons. The quality, effectiveness and timeliness of investigations, along with FIR disposal rates and charge-sheeting efficiency, also form a core part of the assessment.
Service delivery and public interface emerged as critical indicators in the evaluation. Police stations are assessed on accessibility to the public, responsiveness of personnel, ease of complaint registration, professional conduct, and behaviour of officers. Independently collected citizen feedback plays a significant role in this segment, making the assessment reflective of public trust and user experience.
Infrastructure and internal management are also closely examined. Parameters include cleanliness and upkeep of station premises, quality of public facilities, security arrangements, lock-up conditions, maintenance of records, communication systems, and overall safety standards within the police station. In addition, the evaluation reviews digital policing practices such as documentation quality, use of technology, and systems ensuring transparency and accountability.
Pahargaon Police Station’s performance stood out across multiple fronts. The station has recorded strong results in tackling drug-related offences, with several cases registered under the NDPS Act involving ganja, methamphetamine and other psychotropic substances. Property crime handling has been another notable area, with all reported property offences successfully solved.
The station has also put in place focused measures aimed at community-oriented policing. A dedicated room has been established for women and child complainants to ensure a supportive and secure environment for vulnerable sections. The police station has a designated Juvenile Welfare Officer and a Women Help Desk to address gender- and child-related concerns effectively. Sub-Inspector–ranked officers have been assigned as School Officers to monitor and prevent illegal or harmful activities in and around educational institutions.
Given the coastal nature of the islands, Pahargaon Police Station has also strengthened coastal security engagement. A dedicated coastal security officer interacts regularly with the fishing community and participates in coastal patrolling using PMF boats, reinforcing both safety and trust-building measures.
The achievement holds particular significance as the national evaluation places police stations from metropolitan cities, small towns, rural areas and Union Territories on a single competitive platform. Securing second place among thousands of police stations nationally underlines that consistent discipline, leadership and commitment can outweigh limitations of scale or resources.
Commenting on the achievement, the DGP, Andaman and Nicobar Police, Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal, IPS, stated, “Being ranked 2nd nationally is a proud moment for the Andaman & Nicobar Police. This achievement reaffirms our belief that effective policing is built on community trust, strong leadership and the tireless efforts of our officers on the ground.”
The recognition marks a milestone for policing in the islands and sets a benchmark for service delivery, professionalism and community engagement across the force.
