The Hindu : Public helped in combating crime

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 22, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Public helped in combating crime

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JAN. 21. Even as there was a decline in the crime rate in the Southern range last year as compared to 2002, the police took several steps to garner more public support in combating crime. However, there was a considerable increase in cases of criminal assault on women.

According to the Joint Commissioner of Police, (Southern Range), Satish Chandra, the South, South-West and West Delhi police last year emphasised more on building good relationship with the public. To ensure efficient functioning of the police personnel, a feedback system was initiated to inquire from the complainants whether they were satisfied with the investigations.

"Under this scheme, complainants having any grievance can directly meet the district Deputy Commissioner of Police in the presence of the inquiry officer of the case," said Mr. Chandra. In view of the increasing cases of crimes against elderly citizens, the police have contacted them to get the antecedents of their domestic helps verified. The South-West Delhi police brought together over 700 senior citizens on a single platform to evolve strategies to provide a sense of security and emotional support to them.

Apart from these measures, the South Delhi police are also setting up "criminal allotment system", under which each beat officer would be made responsible for keeping track of criminal elements and, if necessary, support those trying to quit the world of crime and lead a normal life. The Deputy Commissioner of Police, South Delhi, Vivek Gogia, said he had recently introduced another system "Chhota Aman", under which young boys having tendencies to commit crime would be sensitised and educated about the repercussions of any offence. "Through them, we would also gather valuable information about suspicious movements in different areas," he said. One such unit has been created at New Friends Colony.

About the alleged criminal assault of a Swiss diplomat at Siri Fort Auditorium, he said the police were trying to identify the culprits with utmost sincerity.

Though there has been a decline in the crime rate in West Delhi as well, the police have not yet been able to justify their action in the case of death of Sushil due to alleged torture by the Madipur police last year. The police had registered a murder case in the matter following a violent protest by the area residents, but they have not yet arrested anyone in this regard. The Deputy Commissioner of Police (West Delhi), Satish Golcha, said the police did not have sufficient proof to proceed for the arrest of the accused.

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