CM Pinarayi Vijayan sees new policing culture

KOZHIKODE: The state is witnessing a new policing culture, which will continue, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said here on Saturday. “The police will  not be lenient toany individual on the basis of money, power or influence if the person is involved in any crime,” he said addressing the valedictory function of the state conference of the Kerala Police Officers’ Association. “There is a change in the Kerala scenario in policing, which was not like this earlier and I don’t want to name the examples that you are aware of. However, the state is experiencing a new policing culture, where the social status, wealth and influence of the accused  do not decide the cases and investigations. The government has given freedom to the department for impartial action,” he  said.

The freedom should be carefully implemented without disturbing the innocent and tactfully trapping the accused. “There should not be lock-up torture, third-degree or corruption among the police officers. Justice should be ensured for women and the downtrodden. Already, Pink police and self-defence courses are there. The government would ensure that the 15 per cent  reservation for women is implemented,” he added. Inspectors will be made station house officers in all the other stations as part of the new policy.

He also called upon the officers to accept criticism and change accordingly while ignoring the wrong questions  that could hinder the investigations. The function was also attended by Kozhikode MP M.K. Raghavan, DGP Loknath Behera, north zone DGP Rajesh Dewan, commissioner S. Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar, Rural SP M.K. Pushkaran, KPOA president D.K. Prithwiraj, general secretary C.R. Biju, KPA president T.S. Baiju and organising committee general convener R. Balakrishnan.