The Hindu : International : When police party with criminals

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 09, 2004

International

International

When police party with criminals

ETAH, DEC 8. In an event that is possibly unique, the police in this district of Uttar Pradesh invited 1,570 history-sheeters, those with registered criminal records, for a tea party here on Tuesday — and 274 of them turned up. The area is considered to have a high crime rate.

The Senior Superintendent of Police, Anand Swaroop, said here that the aim was to find ways in which the police force could receive fresh help in checking crime in the district. The idea was also to ask them about the circumstances that led them to crime, and the possibility of reforming themselves, he said.

Of the 274 who came, more than 250 had once been big-time criminals.

All of them are currently out of jail. By all accounts it was a cordial and businesslike occasion.

The SSP said the invitees were given an opportunity to share their experiences with regard to the different types of criminal activities they were familiar with and exposed to — evidently some sort of sharing of `expertise'. The police offered them help to connect with mainstream life if they promised to leave crime and help the police.

According to the SSP, those who came to have tea with the police approved of the latter's proposal and assured them that they would help the police start a campaign against crime. — UNI

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