The Odisha Police Bill, 2015 should be redrafted looking the concern for protection of minority in the State,” demanded the speakers at a State level consultation ‘Odisha Police Bill-2015-Protection of Minority Rights’ here.

It was organised by the Odisha Forum for Social Action (OROSA) in collaboration with Civil Society Forum on Human Rights (CSFHR) on Sunday. Around 100 activists and minority leaders attended the meet.

Pointing on the major gaps in the bill, Convenor of CSFHR Dhirendra Panda said, “Policing is a State subject and effective policing is the expectation of public. As such, the police should be made citizen friendly so that the citizens feel comfortable with police.” There is a need to ensure people’s participation in the formulation of the Bill, he opined.

Speaking on the occasion, Convenor of OROSA Ajay Kumar Singh stated that the State Government should introduce the bill following the recommendations by public and different organizations.

He lamented that the State Government had resisted demands to set up a minority commission even when many conflicts like Kandhamal riot occurred in the State.

The record of deadly use of force encounters is creating a perception of ethnic injustice among communities that is fostering distrust of law enforcement. The police can use power to lift anybody at night in the name of interrogations in minority prevalent areas in the State.

The new police bill can harass any time to minorities. On this context, we demand every police station should incorporate minority cell for rights, he added. Stressing on the need of effective policing and behavioral change of police towards people, we urge upon the Government to withdraw the draconian bill and go for a public debate. The bill should be prepared basing upon the commandments of Supreme Court. Opposition leader, three or four civil society members should be involved in the State Police Security Commission and also be involved into the Commission, he further opined. Notably, the Police Bill is being opposed in the present form by many activists and forums. They alleged that the Bill is not prepared as per the direction of the Supreme Court. The State Government has not followed the apex court’s suggestion when drafting the bill, they contended.

State Security Commission and Police Complaints Authority (PCA) are constituted in such a way they cannot work independently and impartially. The civil society group has already demanded to send the bill to the Assembly Select Committee. Trade union leader Mahindra Parida, advocate Chandranath Dani, Akhand, Jamaja Paricha, Abhishak Dash and Dibyasingh Paricha also spoke, among others.