Fast track courts will speed up convictions: George

Home Minister K J George said fast track courts introduced for the early conviction of the sexual assault accused would henceforth work effectively, with the appointments of the required number of judges to the respective courts.

Speaking after inaugurating the newly built Coastal Security Police office and police housing structures here at Malpe on Tuesday, the Home Minister said the government has already set up ten fast track courts, of which some of the courts are dysfunctional owing to lack of sufficient number of judges. However, three fast track courts will take up trail proceedings immediately following the talks held with the chief justice. He has assured to provide judges to the fast track courts. He said the government is making all attempt to ensure secured environment to the women in State. The increasing awareness and the role played by media have resulted in most of the sexual crimes coming to the limelight.

He said that the opposition should not involve in blame game, as the opponent should comprehend the underlying factor. He accused the opposition of following the global truth concept adopted by Hitler. BJP is retelling a lie hundred times and this would turn out to be truth in the process of propaganda. He added that following Nirbhaya case in Delhi, the media is actively concentrating on cases related to sexual crimes and atrocities against women, besides the awareness level in the mass has heightened.

The offenders are ignorant over newly introduced IPC Section 376 and POCSO Act (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012) which would end up in life long conviction. He said the police are successful in nabbing the accused in 96 per cent of the cases that are reported and charge sheet has been filed against them. Asserting that the State is in the number one position in the maintenance of law and order across the country, the Home Minister said swift measures are taken up to make the system more effective and also pro people. He said the police are directed to register the cases related to sexual offence wherever in State, and later transfer the case to the police jurisdiction concerned.

Holding the BJP responsible for the pitiable law and order mechanism that prevailed before Congress took over the power, the Minister stated that the police recruitment, which is very much essential for the well being of the society was not taken up since past five years, following which there was shortage of 22,000 police. The State government has taken up adequate measures to fill up the vacant posts. However, inability to train all the required number of the police personnel owing to lack of infrastructural facilities, the government has initially recruited as many as 8,500 police personnel in various capacities.
Currently the State can train only 4,500 police personnel, however temporary arrangements are made to train another 4,000 personnel. He added that 7,000 home guards are recruited who would act as the helping hand to the police department. Their allowances are increased. He said in order to facilitate the police, the State government is into the construction of 11,500 police houses and around 200 houses will be built in Udupi. He said measures are taken to build additional 14,000 houses for the PSI and SI grade level officers.

Coming down heavily on BJP led NDA government at Centre, the Minister said that BJP government would be accountable for the queries posed by the public in the days to come. The Modi government is only offering assurances, which seems to be far from reality. He questioned the contribution of the Centre in maintaining law and order across the country, following six months of the power. He accused that the Modi government has stopped all the pro poor schemes introduced by the former UPA government. The Minister said that out of nine Coastal Security Police  stations in the coastal belt of the State, five are already working in the own structures. The Home Minister assured to sanction a new fire engine to Malpe fire service station by fortnight. He said that as many as 400 police vehicles are allotted and Malpe police station would get a new jeep shortly.
DH News Service