PNS/
 
Stressing on the need for modernization of the Police force on scientific lines coupled with bringing comprehensive reforms in its functioning, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said that it is the need of the hour to facilitate the people by redressing their complaints at their doorsteps through online service.
 
“Punjab Police has a glorious legacy of serving the country by making countless sacrifices. Apart from discharging its core duty of maintaining law and order, the Punjab Police has always safeguarded the interests of the country and its people. In the changing scenario, the challenges for the force have increased manifold due to which comprehensive reforms in its functioning is the need of the hour,” said Mann while addressing the gathering after launching a Chat Bot number 9517795178 for reporting missing, found and abused children and inaugurating a stakeholder workshop on ‘Working Together for Rights of Women and Children’ at Indian School of Business.
 
The Chief Minister said that apart from keeping a strict eye over law and order, the Police force needs to focus on community policing also. “While several out of the box initiatives have already been taken, more such efforts need to be made for facilitating the people. As today is the era of science and technology, so major thrust must be laid on redressal of grievances to the people at their doorsteps through online facilities,” he said.
 
“The entire justice delivery system needs to be reformed from its roots and the Police is one of the core concern areas of this system which required some radical changes immediately,” he stressed.
 
Mann said that our Police reforms will aim to transform the values, culture, policies, and practices of Police organizations so that the cops can perform their duties with respect for democratic values, human rights, and the rule of law. It also aims to improve how the Police deal with other parts of the security sector, such as the management or oversight responsibilities, he added.
 
Citing the example of Sangrur Parliament constituency, the Chief Minister said that the State Government has started installation of state-of-the-art CCTVs to keep a hawk eye on every nook and corner of the district. “This will be replicated across the State so as to effectively monitor law and order situation thereby reducing this burden from the Police,” said Mann, while describing the CCTVs as “Police’s third eye” in this prevailing world which will help in ensuring quick action to counter any untoward incident.
 
Expressing concern that human trafficking is posing a serious threat not only for Police but for entire society, Mann said that this menace needs to be dealt with heavy hands for which the out of the box idea of Police to launch Chat Bot is a welcome step.
 
Highlighting the need for strengthening the system of reconciliation process at village or household level to reduce the burden of Police force, the Chief Minister said that it will strengthen the state’s social fabric on one hand, and balance the social norms on the other by increasing bond amongst the people.
 
Describing the Chat bot initiative as a new dawn for reforming the police system, he said that a developing country like India needs ultramodern tools, such as Whatsapp Chatbot and other online modules, to resolve public issues quickly.
 
Giving a clarion call to women to be on forefront in every sphere, the Chief Minister said that in an unprecedented manner, the state government has deputed seven women as Deputy Commissioners and five women as Senior Superintendents of Police. He expressed pride and satisfaction that these officers are rendering exemplary service to the state and its people.
 
Mann said that these officers help in motivating women to come forward and become the partners of earning in their families, which will automatically resolve the social evils such as dowry, harassment, and female foeticide thereby paving way for women empowerment.
 
“In order to resolve the problems faced by women, the State Government has already set up 10 all women Police stations in Punjab. These Police stations are working efficiently to ensure justice to women. The State Government is mulling to set up more such exclusive women Police stations across the state,” he said.
 
Earlier, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the department is committed not only to safeguarding our children but their childhood too. She informed that various programs for the well-being of women and children have been started and ‘Vidya Parkash, School Wapsi da Agaz’ is one of them, which is gradually becoming a symbol of success. 
 
Prior to this DGP Gaurav Yadav made a brief glimpse about the functioning of Police with its pro-people initiatives and assured to create a better environment for police personnel.