Rights activists regret neglect of police reforms
MANGALORE : A workshop on reforms in police department, held in the city on November 29 under the aegis of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, Delhi, DK Unit of PUCL and the Karavali Ale media group, made a strong point for the setting up of a Complaints Authority on a priority basis in order to facilitate public to lodge complaints against police personnel so that an impartial probe could be undertaken into the same.
Representatives of civil society, doctors, teachers, advocates and police officials attended the workshop.
Speakers at the programme were of the strong view that there was no accountability and transparency in the functioning of the department in the absence of an effective mechanism to look into complaints against the police department.
The workshop among other things, discussed in detail the reference made by Karavali Ale group chief BV Seetaram who had pointed out that the Police Establishment Board had been totally sidelined while transferring 13 police officials of Bellary recently.
Participants in the meeting also voiced their concern while they said that the Complaints Authority should not be a rehabilitation centre for the politically displaced, in the name of providing representation to members of the civil society.
Ebba Martensson and Sharan Srinivas of Common Wealth Human Rights Initiative who guided the deliberations pointed out that several states including Karnataka had not adhered to certain directives of the Supreme Court towards reforms in police department, including transparency in the process of appointment of DGP, fixing a minimum tenure of two years for the DGP and bifurcation of the law and order and crime investigation cells. They also demanded that the states strictly adhere to the directives.
A point of view emerged at the workshop that the police department had failed to respond to the increasing complaints against it. It was pointed out that on many occasions, the common man had been denied justice. This has resulted in frustration against the police department with many people even refraining from approaching the police, they said.
Regretting the increasing pressure on the police department, they said the old laws instead of finding solution to problems have been aggravating the same. They also emphasised the need to amend the existing acts in accordance to changing times.
Ummar UH, Convenor of Forum for Rights and Justice had a complaint against the police personnel in DK district. “In DK, police personnel below the rank of sub-inspector lack courtesy and behave rudely,” he said.
Mr Amith Singh, Asst Supt of Police, Mangalore, in his remarks felt that the work load, personal problems and unexpected transfer may be the reason for the failure of the police personnel to respond to the complaints of the public.
On the other hand, Bantwal Circle Inspector of Police Mr Nanjundegowda said that public should not have high expectations from the police personnel and on the other hand also try to find solutions to their problems on their own.
Manohar, SICHREM representative,Mr P B D’sa, President, PUCL, Mr Suresh Bhat, President of the Communal Amity Forum of the district, Dr Satish, psychiatrist, Sabeeha Bhoomi Gowda, Ismat Pajeer, Kabeer Ullal and others were present on the occasion.
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