(a)Dafadars and chaukidars, commonly known as the rural police, are appointed under the Village Chaukidari Act, 1870 (Bengal Act VI of 1870), or the Bengal Village Self-Government Act, 1919 (Bengal Act V of 1919). They are subject to the provisions of these Acts and to the rules contained in the Chaukidari Manual or the Union Board Manual, Volumes I and II. Every police officer of or above the rank of Assistant Sub-Inspector is expected to be acquainted with the rules in those volumes, which are binding on the police. The regulations in this chapter are explanatory or advisory and do not override these Manual and Acts.(b)Members of the rural police are not subject to the provisions of the Police Act, 1861. They are not police officers except for purposes of the Cattle Trespass Act, 1871 (I of 1871). They are, however, public servants under section 21 of the Indian Penal Code.(c)The village chaukidar is of great importance as an aid to police work. Without his assistance even the most active officer cannot know all that is going on in his jurisdiction. The chaukidar is not a well-trained or highly intelligent agent but he is capable of much good work, and the results attained depend very largely on the care, attention and tact exercised by the officer-in-charge of the police-station.
