Community policing in all municipalities soon

Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan today said the Government's community-based policing initiative, Janamaithri Suraksha Project (JSP), will soon be implemented in at least one municipality in every district in Kerala.

Inaugurating the State-level Consultation meeting on community policing here on Tuesday, Mr. Kodiyeri said there was consensus across the political spectrum to check mafia activity in the State. The Legislative Assembly's unanimous approval of the Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act was indicative of this trend.

Nearly 1.5 lakh people are arrested in Kerala annually. Most of these arrests are made in connection with traffic offences, which are categorized as involuntary crimes. A significant number of persons are arrested in connection with crimes committed impulsively. Only a small section of people fit the definition of criminals.

Mr. Kodiyeri said that community policing does not mean that the police is divesting itself of its duties. It is aimed at giving the police a people friendly face. JSP would enable the police to better understand the problems of the community and devise location specific policing strategies with inputs from law abiding citizens.

Justice K. T. Thomas said police should use force only in a defensive mode. The police have no special right to resort to physical violence. Custodial torture is the worst form of crime. Police stations should not become sanctuaries for law breakers in uniform. Police should instill a sense of security and confidence in citizens. Community policing should not be confused with vigilante action. Recently, citizens in Bhagalpur had lynched 10 migrants on the suspicion of committing theft in Bhagalpur.

Community policing should help the police and public develop a mutually beneficial relationship based on trust and principles of law. Opposition Leader Oomen Chandy said credibility was the strength of the police and it should be preserved at all costs. Director General of Police Raman Sreevastava, Additional Director General of Police Jacob Punnoose and Inspector General of Police B. Sandhya spoke.