GET INTO shape by November this year or be compelled to take voluntary retirement — this is the latest direction from the Assam Police to its personnel.

On Tuesday, Assam DGP G P Singh announced that the police department has decided to professionally record the Body Mass Index (BMI) of all police personnel, including Indian Police Service and Assam police service officers, in the state.

He said it has been decided to give “three months’ time” to all personnel till August 15, and to start the BMI assessment in the next 15 days.

“All those who are in the obese – more than BMI 30 – category would be offered another three months’ time to reduce weight, till November end,” he said.

Those who continue to be in the “obese” category even after that will be offered VRS, except those who have “genuine medical ground like thyroidism”. He also said that he would be leading the way by being the first person in the force to have his BMI measured on August 16.

Last month, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had announced that around 300 police personnel identified as “habitual drunkards” will be offered VRS and new personnel will be appointed to take their positions.

These moves come after a virtual conference he conducted with senior officers and SPs last month, in which Sarma emphasised on physical fitness of cops and directed the police leadership to “cut deadwood from the force”.