Pramesh S Jain
The government and the Home Department will stand firmly behind police personnel who discharge their duties honestly and within the law,but there will be no protection for those who violate the law,Home Minister Priyank Kharge said on Monday.
Addressing more than 800 police personnel,including constables,head constables,assistant sub-inspectors sub-inspectors, inspectors,ACPs,from across Karnataka at a“Home Minister with Police Personnel”interaction programme in Bengaluru,Kharge warned police personnel against developing links with rowdies and criminals.
‘Run Beda Bro campaign in mission mode’:
Kharge directed the police to implement the ‘Beda Bro’ anti-drug campaign in mission mode,particularly against synthetic drugs and ganja.
He said local police generally know who consumes and sells drugs in their jurisdiction and which medical shops or pharmacies sell medicines without valid prescriptions.
“It is not right to provide information only when a specific target is given.This is about the future of our children.The fight against drugs cannot be treated as something to be taken up only when targets are assigned,”he said.
The Home Minister said drug abuse was contributing to an increase in crime and the problem was no longer confined to Bengaluru, Mangaluru or Belagavi.
Even rural areas such as Chittapur and Chincholi have reported ganja cultivation,he said.
He also cautioned that local police should not allow a situation where police from neighbouring states have to come and conduct raids despite local personnel having information about drug activities.
‘No nexus with rowdies will be tolerated’:
Kharge directed police personnel to adopt a strict approach towards rowdy activities and warned them against maintaining any kind of relationship with rowdies.
He said police personnel sometimes end up“nurturing” criminals and stressed that officers and personnel must not share information with rowdies,attend their birthday celebrations,pose for photographs with them or encourage them in any manner.
“Rowdies should be afraid of the police, not the public. Only those who do wrong should fear the police,”he said.
Criminals were ruining the lives of children and youngsters, he said, adding that police personnel must keep themselves away from any form of association or understanding with rowdies.
“If the hands of police personnel are clean,rowdies will fear the police,”Kharge said.
Sensitive response to cybercrime complaints:
Kharge also called for a sensitive approach while dealing with complaints involving women,particularly cases of cyberbullying,sextortion and misuse of private photographs and videos.
He said consent to take a photograph or record a video cannot be construed as consent to share it publicly.
Whenever a woman or her parents approach the police with a complaint or request for help,immediate action must be taken,he said.
“There is nothing bigger than the dignity of a woman,” Kharge said.
He noted that cyber fraud,digital arrests,financial crimes, cyberbullying,eve-teasing and sextortion are increasingly being reported even from rural areas.
Separate plan for police personnel’s physical and mental health:
Kharge said the government would formulate a dedicated plan to address the physical and mental health of police personnel.
Police work involves continuous stress,including duties during festivals, traffic management and responding to complaints received through social media.The government would take measures to safeguard their health, he said.
Focus on transfers,promotions and families:
The Home Minister also assured police personnel that issues concerning transfers,promotions and service assessments would be examined and efforts made to provide better solutions.
He said that in the future,promotions should not be based only on length of service,but also take into account performance and the ability to effectively implement government priorities.
The government would also give special attention to the education and employment prospects of police personnel’s children.
Through initiatives such as ‘Nipuna Karnataka’,efforts are being made to provide skill development, communication skills and language laboratory facilities, he said.
“While the government may not be able to guarantee employment, it can guarantee skills that are required for employment,” Kharge said.
‘Friendly police station is not just about a new building’:
Kharge said a friendly police station should not be judged merely by its infrastructure.
“The behaviour of the personnel and their relationship with the public is what truly defines a friendly police station,”he said.
A person approaching a police station may be facing a problem for the first time, while for police personnel it may be a routine matter.Police must understand this difference and deal with people with humanity and dignity, he said.
“Police need not behave like friends with the public, but they must treat people with humanity and respect,” he said.
‘You are the face of Karnataka’:
Telling police personnel that they were not merely representatives of the police department but the face of Karnataka,Kharge said policing had an important role in the state’s social and economic development.
He said investors looking at Karnataka were not only concerned about the safety of their investments but also whether their families and employees could live safely in the state.
Creating that confidence was a crucial responsibility of the police department,he said.
Government to examine suggestions from police personnel:
Around 200 police personnel who attended the interaction reportedly shared their suggestions and concerns on issues including health,promotions, transfers,handcuffs and police medals.
Kharge said every suggestion had been recorded and the government would examine who should be made responsible for addressing each issue and what measures could be taken.
Reiterating his warning,Kharge said police personnel must work with honesty,legality and responsibility.
“As long as you work according to the law,the Home Minister and the government will stand with you.But if you act against the law,there will be no protection,”he said.
He added that just as the government expects transparency and accountability from the police department, police personnel could also expect transparency and accountability from the government.
Kharge urged the department to work collectively to resolve its problems and focus on public service, better relationships and development during their years of service.
