The fourth online lecture under the banner of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahatasava was organised by the Department of History, University of Jammu, today. The lecture was delivered by Dr. Om Praksh Mishra, Joint Commissioner of Police, New Delhi, on the theme “NARRATIVES OF POLICING DURING COVID 19.” In his address, Dr.  Mishra, stated that the police policy and practice are always implemented within wider social, political and economic contexts and, therefore, Police organisations have a wealth of experience in responding to emergencies. However, the COVID-19 pandemic created social upheaval and altered norms for police as for all members of society. While securing public consent remained a core aim – and policing in this sense continued as before ­ – the pandemic had profound effects on police organisations, the way they worked, their relationships with the public they served. He then went on to highlight the changing narratives of policing during COVID-19. He also spoke on how as frontline warriors, police organisations took up new responsibility and enforced covid-19 regulations.

Prof. Manoj K.Dhar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu in his opening remarks said that the spread of Covid has been unprecedented in terms of speed and scale, leading to complex social developments. It threw into sharp focus the need to reconsider and reorient the structural arrangement obtainable in the service sector.  While society is still grappling with several issues arising out of it,  the topic chosen for today's lecture remains extremely relevant and hopefully, it would unfold the multiple engagements of the police sector, members of which stood for us as a frontline warriors.

Earlier, Prof. Suman Jamwal, Head, Department, History in her welcome address made a brief reference to the earlier three lectures.

The vote of thanks was proposed by Prof. Shyam Narayan Lal.