'Policing should be made people-friendly'

Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy said, he has directed the police officials to make policing people-friendly and lay stress on instilling confidence among women and children, by taking stern action against the perpetrators.

He was addressing a media conference here on Thursday, after holding a progress review meeting of the police officials of the Southern range, along with ADGP (law and order) Alok Mohan.

Stating that the vacancy rate in the Police department has come down to 18% from 33% four years ago, he said, he was satisfied with the functioning of the department.

“It is almost 40 days since I took charge as Home Minister. Except for a couple of ranges, I have reviewed the functioning of the department, almost across the state. I have listed out 30 points, on which, I have asked the officials to concentrate, to ensure better policing,” he said.

“Considering the increase in the population and the increase in awareness among the people about reporting the crime to the police, the crime rate has come down. The condition is largely peaceful, across the state. Only in Dakshina Kannada district, there was some tension, before I took charge. Now, everything is under control,” he said.

‘Public interaction’

“The new beat system, in which the police personnel are in regular contact with the people, is an unique experiment in India. Under this system, even higher officials are mandated to conduct public interaction meetings. The officials have been asked to strengthen patrolling and to provide adequate security to girl’s schools and colleges,” Reddy said.

“The officials have been asked to file FIRs compulsorily. They have been asked to behave well with the people, who come to the police stations with grievances. Issues related to traffic problems have been discussed with the officials. They have been directed to streamline auto stands and to provide designated places for push-cart vendors,” he said.

Speaking about narcotic drugs, he said, “The officials have been asked to check drug pedalling near educational institutions. Even those who grow narcotic drugs, like ganja, would be booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.”