Team Herald
PORVORIM: Conceding that people have no fear of police unlike in the past, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said that frequent cases filed with various authorities have led to harassment of police force which has further resulted in them not taking proactive action. Commenting on the floor of the House during a private member’s resolutions, Parrikar attempted to portray the difficulties of the police department while also sympathising with them.
“Today, the concept of police fear does not exist. The police step back from taking action is essentially because many are harassed by bogus and excessive complaints. There are several agencies and authorities to whom the people approach against them filing cases after cases,” Parrikar said.
He said the complaints are filed with Human Rights Commission, Station Police Complaint Authority (SPCA), Women and Child Commission, Disability Rights Commission and other agencies bringing a toll on the police force. “I have seen criminals filing cases against police officers with SPCA with the claim that they were harassed,” the CM said adding, there has to be pressure of police on the public.
“The police force has changed and it is not what it was some 10-20 years back. His mental position today is that he is not ready to confront. The police needs to confront and be strict as per the law, but this does not mean they can harass the citizens. But the police need to bring in discipline among the general public.”
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Highway patrolling to change soon: CM
The highway patrolling will soon see a complete makeover with the State government assuring strengthening the force as well as adding new modified vehicles to the existing fleet. Conceding the concept introduced by him did not succeed as expected, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said the entire concept will see a change soon.
“The highway patrolling motto will see a change before the next financial year. The vehicles, its model and the colour will be different than the other police vans,” he told the House responding to a private member’s resolution tabled by Congress legislators regarding strengthening the patrolling on the highways. The revised concept will also ensure additional vans and its deployment every 10-15 kms
