Police in Malda district are working hard to keep themselves fit through yoga and physical exercises, especially after chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s recent instruction to them to not grow overweight.

On December 8, Mamata, while attending the administrative review meeting of Malda district here, remarked on overweight officers. Speaking to Hirak Biswas, the inspector-in-charge of Malda police station, Mamata asked if the officer had the habit of regular physical exercise.

Biswas, who is visibly chubby, was embarrassed by the chief minister’s question but quickly nodded his head.

“You should make it a part of your routine. Exercises and yoga will keep you fit physically and mentally. Do it regularly and it will help you in staying fit,” a smiling Mamata had advised the police personnel.

Alok Rajoria, the superintendent of police of Malda, who had shared the dais with the chief minister, had taken note of her advice, said police sources.

Soon after the chief minister's visit, the district police chief issued a notice to all police stations of the district, with an instruction that all personnel, and even the civic volunteers, should start physical exercises every day.

“What the chief minister said was for the benefit of the police force. To be fit and fine should be the goal of any individual. But for the police, it is essential. Therefore, they have been asked to take all measures to be physically and mentally fit,” said Rajoria.

The instructions of the district police chief have worked, say police sources.

Ranabir Bag, the inspector-in-charge of Gazole police station, has started a fitness camp for his colleagues. Right from sub-inspectors to civic volunteers, all the personnel posted at the police station join yoga sessions in the morning conducted by experts.

At the district headquarters, morning walkers are nowadays surprised to see senior officers such as the additional SPs and DSPs briskly jogging and running on foggy mornings.

Police sources said Malda SP Rajoria plays lawn tennis for a couple of hours every morning and for another two hours in the evening if he is not otherwise busy.

“The district magistrate also plays tennis regularly. Recently, senior police officers and bureaucrats who were here to attend the review meeting were seen doing exercises at the Malda Club grounds. If these senior officials can include physical exercise in their daily routine, why can’t we?” said a police officer.