Kerala - Kollam   

Report on police Act amendment ready

KOLLAM: Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Home Minister, has said that the primary report for amending the Kerala Police Act 1960 has been submitted by the ad hoc committee headed by the Additional Director General of Police, Jacob Punnose. Mr. Balakrishnan said this while inaugurating the new building for police control room at the Kollam East Police Station complex on Friday.

The Minister said that the primary report would be submitted before a commission headed by former Supreme Court judge V.R. Krishna Iyer. Based on the recommendations of this commission a Bill will be introduced in the Assembly and enacted within a year. The amendment is part of the measures taken to modernise the police force in the State.

He said the additional Central allocation of Rs. 20 crore to the State for police modernisation would be fully utilised by March 31. A high-level meeting in this connection decided to utilise the amount for vigilance in sensitive areas of the State. That will include purchase of new vehicles and other gadgets required for the purpose.

Barracks would be constructed for policemen to rest, if adequate land is available near police stations. Buildings would be constructed for all the 55 police stations, now functioning from rented premises, as soon as land is made available.

Eight-hour duty system would introduced in all police stations in phases. At present, this system functions in 34 police stations. He wanted the police to detect crimes by adopting scientific methods and not by use of third degree means. As part of modernising the force, new equipment will be installed to trace those who make hoax calls.

“That highly-educated candidates join the force as constables is proof to the fact that the force is held in high esteem. Among the latest recruitments, 60 per cent are graduates and 10 per cent post-graduates. Thirty-six have B.Ed degrees. There were many with MCA and LLB degrees,” he said. Inspector General of Police (south zone), Arun Kumar Sinha, said that the new control room would catering to the entire district. Labour Minister P.K. Gurudasan welcomed the gathering. Mayor N. Padmalochanan and district panchayat president K. Somaprasad addressed the gathering.

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