KL Report

SRINAGAR

Urging the State Police to become part of the change with the arrival of a new government, Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed Wednesday said the role of the Police beyond providing security is of crucial importance to provide people much needed relief on different fronts. He said the presence of Police at different levels should be a source of re assurance to public rather than a cause of fear.

The Chief Minister was holding a detailed review with the Director General of Police, K. Rajendra after assuming office.

The Chief Minister said the Police will have to bring in a behavioural change amongst themselves and present a soft humane face to the people and a helping hand to the needy. He said the Police have played a significant role in the conduct of recent Assembly elections which have further strengthened the democratic institutions and procedures in the State. Similar spirit has to be displayed by the Police in other day to day matters dealt with by it, the Chief Minister said.

Mufti instructed the Police to initiate a process of releasing all those political prisoners in the State against whom no criminal charges are registered. He also directed making the passport clearances time bound and minimising the procedural wrangles. He said initiating a process of release of political prisoners would send a positive message across the political spectrum of the state. He said dissent in democracy makes the system vibrant and dynamic and we should always try to evolve such a system adding democracy is a battle of ideas and it should not be held hostage to the agreements or disagreements on issues.

The Chief Minister observed that the delays in issuing passports and providing clearances for travel have been a constant source of dismay and irritation for common people and directed the Police authorities to make the Police verification process time bound and transparent. He asked the Police authorities to evolve a practicable mechanism by which more and more such cases are decided in quick time frames and the minor procedural wrangles are done away with.

On the issue of providing travel documents to intending Hajj pilgrims, the Chief Minister categorically directed that their cases should be cleared well in advance and no pilgrim should be subjected to inconvenience and difficulties during the whole process.

The Chief Minister urged upon the J&K Police to encourage a people friendly approach within its ranks and make the organisation more accountable and transparent with a greater degree of integrity. He also emphasised on improving the professional skills of Police particularly in areas like crime control and traffic management so that people are served in a better way. He said the traffic management on the National Highways and in the cities is becoming more of a challenge for Police with the addition of more and more vehicles on roads.

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