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Friday, Nov 05, 2004

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National

Committee to improve police administration

By Vinay Kumar

The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, with the Home Minister, Shivraj Patil, (right) and the Director of Intelligence Bureau, A.K. Doval, at the DGs' and IGs' conference in New Delhi on Thursday. — Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

NEW DELHI, NOV. 4. The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, today said that his Government would set up a committee of experts to examine the recommendations of all past commissions and committees and come up with a "set of credible, implementable suggestions'' for improving the country's police administration. .

He said the committee would consist of representatives of the Government, States and experts. He noted that many committees and commissions, beginning from the first police commission of 1860 to the Ribeiro Committee of 1998, have suggested a number of changes to tone up the police administration. Even a Model Police Act was suggested to replace the 1961 Police Act, he said.

Announcement welcomed

The Prime Minister's announcement of constituting the `Committee of Experts' was greeted with applause by the country's top police officials who had assembled here for the annual conference of the Director-Generals of Police of States and heads of the Central Police Organisations. Dr. Singh was addressing the valedictory session of the two-day conference, organised by the Intelligence Bureau.

Besides referring to terrorism and threats to internal security , the Prime Minister expressed his concerns, candid views and tossed several questions at the top police brass that broadly touched upon the need to improve the image, challenges, working conditions, welfare and morale of the force.

Expressing "deep concern'' over the fact that the police service has been robbed of the shine associated with the prestige and glory of the uniform, Dr. Singh observed: "For some time now the police are portrayed as corrupt, inept, lawless and in cahoots with criminals and the undesirable elements in society.''

Consequently, he said, there "is either a demoralisation that has set in, or there is an increase in indiscipline born of the criminalisation, politicisation and corruption of the force". Calling upon the police leadership to stem the rot, the Prime Minister gave his message: "A police man must be friend of the people, a guarantor of their security and safety, a source of comfort and confidence. A police station, a source of protection, not harassment.''

He urged the leadership to take a hard look at the sources of corruption and causes for politicisation. "I urge our political parties also to focus on this issue,'' he said, adding that the so-called "nexus'' between politicians, criminals and the police as enunciated by the Vohra Committee report posed a threat to the country.

Dwelling upon the challenging nature of the security situation in certain regions of Jammu and Kashmir, the North-East, the States where left-wing extremism was active, Dr. Singh suggested that intelligence operatives must acquire a better understanding of the social, political and ethnic issues.

Mr. Manmohan said tribal areas have become the hunting ground of left-wing extremists. "Our laws are inadequate to accommodate the needs and aspirations of these tribals.

Dealing with left-wing extremists is hence not merely a law and order issue, though containing violence is a major aspect.

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