Cooch Behar, as the name suggests was the abode for Cooch before incorporation with Indian union in 1950. It was a princely state ruled by Cooch kings. Many heritage buildings and cultural legacy of Cooch dynasty are still evident in Cooch Behar which is now a district in North Bengal. Cooch Behar is immediately recognized for the architectural excellence of King’s Palace, Madan Mohan Temple, Baneswar Temple and many other buildings of Cooch dynasty. Cooch kings had own currency, measuring system, criminal justice delivery system and so on. Maharaja Nripendra Narayan banned the practice of slave-keeping (Kritadas Pratha) in his kingdom through enactment of law in 1884. His son Maharaja Jitendra Narayan reformed the judicial system during his reign. Present Kotwali police station building also bears the heritage of Cooch rules. It was Kotwali during Jitendra Narayan’s regime.
Area Profile: The jurisdiction of Kotwali Police Station covers an area of 754.84 Sq. Kms with one Sub-Division, two Blocks and a Municipality with 20 Wards. Kotwali Police Station shares boundary with Pundibari Police Station in north, Dinhata Police Station in south, Mathabhanga Police Station in east and Tufanganj Police Station in west. Population is approximately more than 75 lakhs.
There are two universities- Cooch behar Panchanan Barma University and Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya. Nine colleges, 55 high schools, 236 primary schools and 47 madrasas cater the needs of education in Cooch Behar town. Besides some temples of historical significance, there are some mosques in this area. Jute, tobacco, rice, pulses and corn are most commonly grown in the area. There is district hospital – Maharaja Jitendra Narayan Hospital and some private hospitals, clinics and several primary health centres to look after medical needs of the populace. There is a shelter for orphaned children. The town has an airport but is n’t very active.
Communication is the key word in policing too. We try to resolve any problem by way of proper communication. We hold talks with aggrieved persons or who are at loggerheads. We seldom resort to stringent means as people are mostly law abiding.
Policing: The overall law and order situation in town is good though there are instances of many motor cycle thefts. The local people are somewhat aggressive and sensitive on certain issues. They even take law on their hands and lynch targeted person. Cattle smuggling and lifting are matter of concern in semi urban and rural areas. Cannabis cultivation particularly in Bandhsala and Chandnamari areas remain a headache for the police. Yet,the cops stay vigilant round the clock which has 
resulted in arrests of many who had been involved in drug peddling, kidnapping, robbery, fake currency racketeering, etc. Our officers and men patrol with a vehicle, motorbikes and cycles and guard Banks and ATM kiosks during night and inform superior officers about any development through WhatsApp.
Beyond Policing: Kotwali Police Station organises various community programmes from time to time which include donating clothes and blankets to the poor people, facilitating needy students with books and other stationeries, providing expenses for higher education to the meritorious but financially weak students and organising blood donation and free medical checkup camps, sports tournaments etc.
Anirban Saha
