The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Police warned against violation of human rights

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Aug 29, 2006

Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Police warned against violation of human rights

Staff Reporter

Use diplomacy and intelligence to solve case, police told Use diplomacy and intelligence to solve case: Achuthanandan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan has asserted that his Government will not tolerate deaths in custody, use of `third degree' methods and violation of human rights by the police to detect cases.

Speaking after inspecting the passing-out parade of 267 recruits of police constables of the Special Armed Police Battalion at the SAP parade ground here on Monday, Mr. Achuthanandan reminded the police that those responsible for violation of human rights, custody deaths and use of third degree methods would not find a place in the force.

"The Government will not be lenient to such police personnel and will see that they get stringent punishment," he added.

Narrating the torture he had to undergo in the lock-up, Mr. Achuthanandan said the police should use their diplomacy and intelligence in solving cases. They should bring the accused before the law and ensure that the guilty got maximum punishment. They should also ensure that human rights of the citizens and those being arrested were protected.

The Chief Minister said the Kerala Police stood out among other State police forces in the country with regard to maintenance of law and order and detection of cases. The personnel in the force had better educational background. "Still, evil elements prevail in the police force. They have to be brought to the main stream", he added.

Police personnel had to encounter goonda and mafia elements and often their duty hours stretched from 8 to 24 hours. Yet, they got brickbats from the public. This led to tension among the police personnel.

The Chief Minister said the police should try to become a friend of citizens and society and the people would in turn love the force.

Promotion of constables

The Government had already issued orders to promote constables having 15 years of service as head constables and head constables who had completed 23 years as Assistant Sub-Inspectors.

Mr. Achuthanandan said the Government would sympathetically consider their demands as it wanted to improve the working condition of the police personnel.

Assistant Commandant V. Jose Kurien read out the pledge to the recruits.

At the function, the Chief Minister distributed trophies to Hashim A. (best all rounder recruit), Sanju S. (best indoor), Hashim A. (best outdoor) and to Prashant. Of the 267 police constables, four are law graduates, 19 postgraduates, 110 graduates, 30 have completed Polytechnic and ITI courses, 61 pre-degree and 43 have completed SSLC.

Principal Secretary, Home, Lizzie Jacob, Director General of Police Raman Srivastava and top police officials attended the passing-out parade.

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