Plan afoot to let cops move freely across states
The Central government is in serious deliberations upon methods to allow free movement of police from one state to another, whilst in pursuit of a criminal.
By Smitha Venkateswaran, TNN |
PANAJI: The Central government is in serious deliberations upon methods to allow free movement of police from one state to another, whilst in pursuit of a criminal.
“Indian laws require police from other states to seek permission from a state government before entering their territory in pursuit of a criminal. Time is lost here. So, for exceptional circumstances, states can come to an agreement,” explained Union home minister Shivraj Patil after a meeting of the Western Zonal Council.
The western states shall soon have a joint action force to combat terrorism, apart from entering into an agreement to allow free movement of police from one state to another in pursuit of a criminal.
The meeting, attended by the chief ministers of Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat — Pratapsingh Rane, Vilasrao Deshkumh and Narendra Modi respectively — along with officials from Daman & Diu, discussed issues relating to internal security, terrorism, law and order, communal harmony and trafficking of drugs and narcotics.
These states are to set up ‘coastal police stations’ with ‘amphibious’ vehicles to move freely both on water and land. Desert policing will also be carried out at required places. The Centre has asked the states to prepare a futuristic plan for providing special securities to mega cities.
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Private security and detective agencies will be asked to assist police and intelligence agencies “when needed”. The Central government is planning to enter into agreements with private players in this regard. “Private security agencies can help collect information; we plan to use their services when required,” said Mr Patil while maintaining that strengthening of the police system was a top priority. A national cadre for developing intelligence training will be established, while a community policing system — where citizens shall report on suspicious persons and incidents — is being set up, he said.
While maintaining that law and order is a state object, the Union home minister on Wednesday assured states of all assistance from the Centre for upgrading police forces.
“We need to increase the police-population ratio. The government will extend support to have helicopters, armoured vehicles, modern weapons, information, funds etc,” he added..
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