Kerala Govt. to bifurcate police functioning

Kochi, Nov 4 (UNI) Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan today said the government will bifurcate the police force into separate law and order and investigation units to ensure better policing in the state.

Speaking after laying the foundation stone of the 'Golden Jubilee Chamber' to mark the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the Kerala high court here, Mr Balakrishnan said the government planned to raise a specialised team of investigators to deal with crime. It will also take steps to strengthen the prosecution of cases in courts.

He said nearly 10,000 personnel in the armed reserve camps would be linked to police stations.

Stressing on the crucial role played by the judiciary in society, Mr Balakrishnan said that lawyers should not look upon their profession as an occupation but as a social service.

He assured the gathering that despite facing a resource crunch, the government will take steps to improve infrastructure facilities in the subordinate courts and the high court.

The government was planning to introduce video conferencing facility so that the accused do not have to be produced in the court everytime their remand has to be extended.

Welcoming the recent high court judgement, ordering the release of 109 undertrials languishing in jail for more than the prescribed sentence period, Mr Balakrishnan said court verdicts should reflect the aspirations of the people.

Stating that people had immense confidence in the judiciary, the minister said that this was indicated by the increasing number of cases being filed in courts.

He also stressed the need for the judiciary, the executive and the legislature to work together so that the fruits of democracy reached the common people.

Chief Justice Vinod Kumar Bali, who presided over the function, said financial constraints would not be allowed to come in the way of completion of the new high court building.

Mr Kodiyeri Balakrishnan also inaugurated the 'Golden Jubilee Social Security Scheme' of the Kerala High Court Advocates Association. The chief justice presented mementoes to advocates who have completed 50 years of practice in the court.

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