The Punjab government’s decision to introduce the police commissionerate system in three cities, namely, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar, has been welcomed by residents who hope it will help in bringing down the rising crime graph in the state’s industrial hub. It is also felt vehicular traffic and crowd control will become easier to manage.
The Tribune has been campaigning for introducing the system in Ludhiana in particular in view of its haphazard growth and the phenomenal rise in the population. The city’s complexion has completely changed with the influx of a huge number of migrant workers from other states, who are now the backbone of its industrial economy. Besides, about a million Muslims reside here with madrasas having mushroomed all over the city.
The clashes between the police and migrant labourers on December 3 and 4 has left unpleasant memories and efforts are still being made to create a
harmonious atmosphere in the city.
With a population of about four million Ludhiana has been hamstrung by inadequate deployment of police personnel and needs at least 10,000 policemen as against the present strength of only 2,500.
The introduction of the commissionerate system will vest more magisterial powers with the police like declaring a crowd unlawful and take preventive action under Sections 107 &151 (apprehension of breach of peace). At present an executive magistrate has to accompany the police force to deal with a crowd indulging in unlawful activities.
The police commissioner will be assisted by three to four deputy commissioners who will be of the rank of SSP. The commissioner of police will have at least DCP (headquarters), DCP (crime) and DCP (traffic), and there can also be a DCP (special branch).
Welcoming the government’s move, DR Bhatti, who retired as DGP from the Punjab police, congratulated Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal for his “far sighted decision”. He was of the view that this system would help in improving policing as well as curbing activities of “antisocial elements”.
Senior Punjab police officials now serving the state have also hailed the decision and feel introduction of the new system would bring the police “closer” to the public. They were unanimous in saying “the success of the system would depend on the leader of the police force in the commissionerate”.
It may be mentioned here that the proposal for the appointment of police commissioners was first mooted in 1990 when Julio Ribeiro was heading the police force fighting militancy in Punjab. KPS Gill even appointed SS Sani as the first commissioner of police in Ludhiana in 1992 but the decision could not be implemented in full. The IAS lobby has been opposing the commissionerate system tooth and nail.
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