The Police are always on their toes particularly the personnel who are posted in Battalions. The personnel in Battalions have to report at various locations across the state for various assignments. They are deputed according to the need of police arrangement in different situation. West Bengal Police formed 8th Battalion of State Armed Police on April 1, 1976. The Battalion is spread over the area of 7.69 acres at Mangal Pandy Park, Barrackpore on the bank of Ganges. The battalion has two separate buildings facing each other which accommodate the entire force. There ares even companies–A,B,C,D,E,F and HQ in this Battalion. Like others, this Battalion is also headed by 
Commandant. There are seven Inspectors, 26 Sub Inspectors and 169 ASIs and as much as 700 constables in the force. A few personnel belong to their original units- Disaster Management Group (DMG) and STRACO. DMG personnel have the skill to hold rescue operation during, flood,tremor, land slide and other natural calamities. They hardly care about their lives and rescue 
marooned people. They rescue people from the debris of collapsed building and scuba divers of DMG fished out bodies from water. The personnel from this Battalion are also deployed for VIP and VVIP security. They are also deputed at Bomb 
Disposal Squad. Apart from law and order duty the personnel of this Battalion are deputed at 37 camps across the state. Few such camps are at Chhurimara under Belpahari Police Station in Jhargram police district, Chhendapathar under Barikul Police Station, Binpur under Binpur Police 
Station in West Midnapore, Andal Airport, ONGC under Pandua Police Station in Hooghly etc. S. Selvamurugam, the Commandant of Battalion who has an additional charge of Battalion said, “Our Officers and men are always committed to protect people and they perform their duties with most dedication. We provide safety and security in the best possible manner. Two platoons of STRACO- the specialised force to combat terrorist activities are deployed at various camps in West Midnapore district. Dakshineswar temple is a religious place which is one of the destinations for the pilgrims 
across the country. A few personnel of this Battalion are deputed at Dakshineswar Camp to assist and protect the devotees.” Eighth Battalion looks after health care matters of the brigade personnel. Brigade Police hospital is maintained by Battalion which offers 24 hours service for all the police personnel and their families. A welfare 
centre is also run by this Battalion where Doctors and Physiotherapist are available for treatment of police personnel and their families. Local civilians can also avail the facilities on payment of minimum charges, he added. Commandant said, there is a provision for the personnel to express their needs and suggestions during Darbar– the 
open forum meeting of the Battalion. There is a Library, Multi-Gym, a Table Tennis board, T.V. and Canteen in the Barrack for the recreation of the personnel for keeping the force physically and mentally fit and stress free despite their grueling duties. The Battalion organises Blood Donation Camp, Health Check up Camp every year. The 
personnel of this Battalion participated in cleanliness drive- Nirmal Bangla. It also organises Annual Sports, cultural programmes during Tagore’s Birthday, Netaji’s Birthday, Vijaya Sammilani and picnic where family members of the police personnel participate. The battalion Volleyball team bagged awards for the best State team during past years. A parade ground is situated beside the barrack buildings where all the police personnel of this battalion indulge in their physical exercise and sports activities.S.A.P 8th Battalion is renowned as the vital training centre in the list of STCs in West Bengal Police.
By Our Special Correspondent
