Punjab CM Mann underlines need for modernisation of police to redress grievances of people at doorsteps

Mohali, March 28: Underlining the need for modernization of the Police force on scientific lines, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said that it is the need of the hour to facilitate the people by redressing their complaints at their doorsteps through online service.

Addressing the gathering, after launching a Chat Bot number 9517795178 for reporting Missing, Found and Abused Children and inaugurating a stakeholder workshop on “Working together for rights of Women & Children here at Indian School of Business, the Chief Minister said that the Punjab Police has a glorious legacy of serving the country by making countless sacrifices.

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He said that apart from discharging its core duty of maintaining law and order, the Punjab Police has always safeguarded the interests of the country and its people. Bhagwant Mann said that in the changing scenario the challenges for the force have increased manifold due to which comprehensive reforms in its functioning is the need of the hour.  

The Chief Minister said that apart from keeping a strict eye over law and order, the Police force needs to focus on community policing also. He said that while several out of the box initiatives have already been taken, more such efforts need to be made for facilitating the people. Bhagwant Mann said that as today is the era of science and technology so major thrust must be laid on redressed of grievances to the people at their doorsteps through online facilities. 

The Chief Minister said that the entire justice delivery system needed to be reformed from its roots and the Police is one of the core concern areas of this system which required some radical changes immediately. He said that our Police reforms will aim to transform the values, culture, policies and practices of Police organizations so that police can perform their duties with respect for democratic values, human rights and the rule of law. Bhagwant Mann said that it also aims to improve how the Police deal with other parts of the security sector, such as the management or oversight responsibilities.

Citing the example of Sangrur Parliament Constituency, the Chief Minister said that the state government has started installation of state-of-the-art CCTVs to keep a hawk eye on every nook and corner of the district. He announced that this will be replicated across the state so as to effectively monitor law and order situation thereby reducing this burden from Police. Bhagwant Mann described CCTVs as third eye of the Police in this prevailing world adding that this will ensure quick action to counter any untoward incident.

The Chief Minister lauded the initiatives being taken by the Police force to introduce modernization in the department. He expressed concern that human trafficking is posing a serious threat not only for Police but for entire society. Bhagwant Mann said that this menace needs to be dealt with heavy hands for which the out of the box idea of Police to launch Chat Bot is a welcome step. 

Highlighting the need for strengthening the system of reconciliation process at village or household level to reduce the burden of Police force, the Chief Minister said that it will strengthen the social fabric of the state on one hand and balance the social norms on the other by increasing bond amongst the people.  Bhagwant Mann said that this will also help in wiping out various causes of social stigma and pave a way for creating an egalitarian society which will provide equal opportunities for all.  Describing the Chat bot initiative as a new dawn for reforming the police system, he said that a developing country like India needs ultra modern tools such as WhatsApp Chatbot and other online modules to resolve public issues quickly.

Giving a clarion call to women to be on forefront in every sphere, the Chief Minister said that in an unprecedented manner the state government has deputed seven women as Deputy Commissioners and five women as five as Senior Superintendents of Police. He expressed pride and satisfaction that these officers are rendering exemplary service to the state and its people. Bhagwant Mann said that these officers help in motivating women to come forward and become the partners of earning in their families, which will automatically resolve the social evils such as dowry, harassment and female foeticide thereby paving way for women empowerment.

The Chief Minister said that in order to resolve the problems faced by women, the state government has already set up 10 all women Police stations in Punjab. He said that these Police stations are working efficiently to ensure justice to women. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government is mulling to set up more such exclusive women Police stations across the state.

Sharing his penned poem ‘Na tan mainu Jaman ton pehla hi mareya geya, Na hi mere jaman da dukh hi sahereya geya’, the Chief Minister batted for equal opportunities for girl child in every field. He said that girls are outnumbering the boys in every field and given a chance they can excel in any field. Bhagwant Mann further said that the youth are the foundation stones of the society and the state government is leaving no stone unturned to provide them world class education opportunities so that they will become integral part of socio-economic growth of the country. 

Earlier, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the department is committed not only to safeguarding our children but their childhood too. She informed that various programs for the well being of women and children have been started and ‘Vidya Parkash, School Wapsi da Agaz’ is one of them, which is gradually becoming a symbol of success.  

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Prior to this DGP Gaurav Yadav made a brief glimpse about the functioning of Police with its pro-people initiatives and assured to create a better environment for police personnel. ADGP Gurpreet Deo extended the warm words of welcome towards dignitaries.