Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Bengaluru, October 28 (IANS) Responding to BJP’s criticism of lack of law and order in the state, Karnataka Home Minister G. God has said that law and order has not been allowed to deteriorate in the state.
He underlined that the Karnataka State Police Department is one of the best in the country and expressed pride in its functioning.
He was speaking at the ‘Introduction and Distribution of Peak Caps for Police Personnel’, Inauguration of ‘Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF)’ and Release of ‘Samitra’ program held at the banquet hall of Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
He said, according to the India Justice Report, Karnataka Police ranks first in the country on several parameters such as conduct, justice delivery and citizen services.
“Drugs are a major social menace. The Chief Minister has announced in the Assembly that Karnataka will be made a drug-free state. In this direction, the police department has taken several steps. In the last two years, drugs worth Rs 250 to 300 crore have been seized and destroyed. Despite all vigilance, drugs are still entering the state through parcels and other means. To completely curb this menace, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force has Force (ANTF) has been established,” he said.
“Constables are being appointed under the Sammitra program to keep a close watch on drug smugglers and addicts. The ‘Police at Every Door’ initiative launched in the state is progressing successfully. Collecting information from every household helps in responding quickly to complaints and controlling criminal activities,” he said.
“For the first time in the country, a DGP-rank officer has been appointed to head the Narcotics Control Division. To prevent atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Tribes, 33 DCRE police stations have been set up across the state,” Parameshwara said.
“The police department is a disciplined force and cannot be compared with any other department. It is the eye of the state. The reputation of any government depends on the police. Maintaining peace and order directly depends on the image of the government. We have not just changed the border – we have made efforts to instill trust and pride among you,” he concluded.
He said, “During the British period, our police were given a special uniform and were made to function in a specific manner. After independence, many reforms were brought in the police system.”
The Home Minister said, “During the British era, police personnel used to wear slouch caps. In 1953, the armed forces adopted the cap system, and regular police personnel used to wear turbans. In 1973, when D. Devaraj Urs was the Chief Minister, the slouch cap was introduced for our police. Since then, there has been no change. Our personnel have endured all circumstances, whether good or bad.”
He said, “Many requests were made over the years to change the design of the cap, as it became heavy in the rain and was not attractive to look at. Even in 2015, when I was the home minister, a change was proposed, but it could not be implemented due to various reasons.”
Parameshwara said, “This time, senior officials of the department, after detailed discussion, studied the types of caps used in other states and presented various designs. The Chief Minister selected the blue colored cap. On behalf of the department, I congratulate him. Today is a historic day for the police department.”
“As soon as the policemen wear the new caps, they start looking smarter. This also increases self-confidence – a feeling that there is no difference between officers and subordinates,” he said.
Speaking about law and order, the minister said, “Compared to other states, Karnataka has been largely peaceful. For the last two years, there have been no communal riots or untoward incidents. We have not allowed law and order to deteriorate, and the credit for this goes to the department personnel.”
He said, “The state government has created a positive environment for the police department. We should continue to work as per the expectations of the people and strive to make Karnataka a garden of peace.”
–IANS
mka/uk