The Hindu : Front Page : No `third-degree' measures, police told

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Saturday, Oct 29, 2005

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No `third-degree' measures, police told

Staff Reporter

THRISSUR: The Kerala Government has made it clear that it will not tolerate use of `third-degree' measures by the police under any circumstances. Superintendents of Police (SPs) will be made responsible for any such acts that take place in their areas of jurisdiction.

Director-General of Police (DGP) Raman Srivastava told presspersons here on Friday that a decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of top police officials convened by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy at the Kerala Police Academy here on Friday.

The meeting was convened to evolve measures to restore the sagging image of the police in view of the increasing number of custodial torture cases and the involvement of some policemen in criminal activities.

According to Mr. Srivastava, the Chief Minister has said that stern action will be taken if police personnel are found to be indulging in criminal activities. The Chief Minister has directed police officials to give due respect to people's representatives and public personalities. The police should listen to them and ensure that justice is done.

According to the DGP, the Chief Minister has told the police that the proposed Goonda Bill will be passed in the next session of the Assembly.

The DGP said the administrative problems in the police in various districts were discussed at the meeting.

Replying to questions, the DGP said the Government had accepted the report of the K.T. Thomas Commission on police reforms.

A committee of Additional DGPs has been constituted to come up with recommendations on the modalities for implementing the report within a month.

``Some of the suggestions can be implemented immediately, while some others involve long-term changes. All possible recommendations will be implemented at the earliest. Replying to questions, the DGP denied reports of custodial torture of two activists of the Communist Marxist Party (CMP) at the Mangalapuram police station in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday.

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