Police reforms need of the hour: NGOs

Imphal, Aug 21 (UNI) Police, the custodians of law, are indulging in custodial violence and third degree interrogation methods instead of protecting the rights of the citizens, the Centre for Organisation Research and Education (CORE) said in a seminar recently.

Speaking at a two day discussion on 'Policing and Police reforms in Manipur', organised by CORE and CHRI, Retd Justice C Upendra said police today have no connection with social realities or do not understand the needs of the people.

''Policing is still governed by an outdated Police Act 1861, promulgated in the colonial British regime,'' he said.

Mandeep Tiwana of Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) stressed the need to address the increasing levels of police misconduct.

The imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers] Act 1958 has led to severe undermining of police force and its duties, he said.

The consultation came up with recommendations like a transparent process of developing a new draft Police Act.

The draft must be notified in all the states and made available through the district administrations. A minimum time of at least 30 days would be given for public comments and suggestions to the draft.

Police reforms would be futile unless the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 and similar unconstitutional laws were repealed, he said.

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