Bureaucrats, judges and retired IPS officers stress on police reforms to change the image of police in the States
-Surender Singhal
New Delhi: Leading bureaucrats, judges, advocates and activists fighting for the public cause stressed on the need that the police should shun the colonial mindset and behave in more accountable and efficient manner. They raised their voice for reforming the police system as per the recommendations of the National Police Commission and Supreme Court order of 2006. These experts assembled at Police Reforms Day observed on September 22 by Indian Police Foundation.
From left Dr AP Maheshwari , Shri Rajiv Jain, Shri Rajiv Gauba, Justice Shri BS Chauhan, Dr Satyapal Singh and Shri Prakash Singh
Union Home Secretary Shri Rajiv Gauba said there should be no confusion about implementation of police reforms. He stressed on focusing internal security and the nature of crimes. He said though the issues of mob lynching and crimes against women are dealt by states, the Centre is also worried over it. He stressed on reforms in basic policing.
Shri Rajiv Jain, former Director of Intelligence Bureau, said police should work without fear and with sensitivity. He said accountability of police should be fixed. He applauded the campaign launched by senior IPS Shri Prakash Singh for police reforms.
Union Minister of State for HRD and former Police Commissioner of Mumbai Dr Satyapal Singh said police reforms are needed for future generation also. He said when the police officers are in initial phase of their career, they support police reforms, but when they are in senior position their mindset suddenly changes. He said aims and objectives would make the police responsible and friendly. He said when he was in Maharashtra, he focused on it.
Director General of BPR&D Dr AP Maheshwari emphasised on respecting those visiting the police station and FIRs should be registered in all genuine complaints. He expressed that despite efforts of two decades there is not much progress in police reforms in the country. In the beginning Shri N Ramchandran, President of Indian Police Foundation, welcomed the dignitaries. He said the Indian Police Foundation would seek the support of all sections of the society for police reforms and also would launch further awareness campaigns for it.
Chairman of Indian Police Foundation and former DGP of Uttar Pradesh and Assam Police recalled that he filed a PIL in the Supreme Court for police reforms in 1996 and the decision of the court on that PIL came after ten years. He had then hoped that the police reforms would be implemented in the country soon but even after 12 years there is no progress in this regard. “This delay can prove fatal for the society. This struggle is for the public which wants good policing and better security. Our endeavour is to awaken the people and seek the support of social organisations and the media on this issue,” he said appealing to the bureacrates and politicians to come forward in this regard. He said the future of democracy is connected with the police reforms.
Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan, Chairman of 21st Law Commission, also favoured police reforms. He said it would strengthen democracy in the country. Director of Common Cause Dr Viput Mudgal also supported the demand for implementing police reforms. He hoped that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi would surely take a favourable decision in this regard. CEO of NITI Ayog Shri Amitabh Kant and director of Human Rights Initiative Smt Maja Daruwala also supported the demand.
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