At a time when Opposition parties are getting ready to
protest the Odisha Police Bill, 2015 in the Monsoon Session of the Assembly on the ground that it violates the Supreme Court (SC) guidelines, members of civil societies and human rights activists on Sunday rejected the Bill apprehending that in its present form it may lead to “militarisation” and “privatisation” of the police.
The speakers at a seminar held on “The Odisha Police Bill-2015” jointly organized by Manav Adhikar Surakshya Manch (MASM) , loka Shakti Abhizan and Civil Society held at Ganjam Kalaparishad here on Sunday were unanimous on this point. The meeting was presided over by former president of Ganjam Bar Bhagaban Sahu.
There has always been a demand from the civil societies and the public to bring suitable reforms in policing system which remains unheeded by the Government. As a result, the State police often work like dictators and have become more arrogant, inhuman and brutal in their action towards public in the name of law and order. Keeping public perceptions and rising trend of police atrocities in the country, the SC had issued directives to both State and Central Governments in 2006 to make the police machinery more disciplined and people-friendly. But unfortunately, most of the provisions in the proposed Bill are contrary to the directives of the apex curt, said the speakers.
Except Kerala no other State so far has reformed/changed the provisions of Police Act, 1861. But, the Odisha Government reframed the Odisha Police Bill-2015 in a hurry without taking the constructive opinions and suggestions of civil societies, lawyers, and intellectuals. Most of the provisions incorporated in the Bill violate the basic principles of human rights, the speakers alleged.
Rights activist Chandranath Dani stressed the need of segregation of investigation from law and order which would help the public to get justice expeditiously. Similarly, the Police Complaint Authority (PCA) needs to be more strengthened to hear public complaints against police atrocities, brutality, or excessive action or torture, he opined.
MASM convener Abani Kumar Gaya said that the proposed Bill neither takes into account questions of transparency and public accountability, nor involves public in making a people-friendly legislation. Gaya demanded that the Government must make the draft Bill open to public. Former president of Ganjam Bar Association Bhagaban Sahu said the Government is trying
to impose a “Police State” in
the State.