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What is the News?
The Parliamentary Panel on Home Affairs has submitted a report in Rajya Sabha titled ‘Police – Training, Modernisation and Reforms’.
What are the key findings of the report?
As many as 648 police stations in the country do not have telephones. The largest shortfall was found in the North-East States.
Around 257 police stations did not have vehicles and 143 did not have wireless sets.
Only 17 states have either enacted the Model Police Act, 2006 or amended their existing Act.
Women account for only 10.3% of police.
What are the suggestions given by the report?
Firstly, the Centre may advise states to immediately equip their police stations with adequate vehicles and communication devices, else it may lead to disincentivization of modernisation grants from the centre.
Secondly, the Centre should also advise states and Union Territories to create a road map for ensuring 33% representation of women in police.
Thirdly, there is stress and pressure on police personnel. Hence, it recommended offline and online modules to help them de-stress through yoga, exercises and counselling.
Fourthly, clusters of police stations in a state should be linked to a particular university or college, as it is important for the police to understand the social, cultural, legal, political, economic and technological changes happening in the society.
Fifthly, separation of investigation from law and order to maintain accountability and increase police autonomy in probing crimes.
Lastly, virtual trials should be held, particularly for those involving high-risk groups via video conferencing.
Source: This post is based on the article “648 police stations lack phone connection: Parliamentary Panel” published in The Hindu on 11th Feb 2022.
