MPs express dismay over poor projection of police in films

New Delhi, Dec 15 (UNI) Several senior Members of Parliament today expressed concern over the ''poor image'' of the police being projected in films and suggested measures to augment police-community co-operation in all possible areas.

Participating in a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Home Ministry, the MPs demanded steps to strengthen the Home Guards and Civil Defence to support the police in tackling crimes, provide regular flow of local intelligence and help the community during natural and man-made disasters.

The meeting, chaired by Home Miniter Shivraj Patil, discussed the role of community, Home Guards and Civil Defence organisations in policing, maintenance of law and order, prevention of crime and disaster management.

The MPs stressed the need to increase the number of Home Guards, equip and train them effectively, increase their pay and allowances, give them housing, medical and other facilities, provide them permanent employment in police and other areas of administration and also undertake periodic review and assessment of work done by them.

Acknowledging the relevance of bodies like the Mohalla Committee in Maharashtra, they felt that public participation in policing can play a vital role in defending the community against terrorism and other crimes. During natural or man-made disasters, the first response has to come from the members of the local community and hence, it is essential to adopt capacity building measures at the grassroots level.

Responding to the suggestions and observations made by the members, Mr Patil said it was essential to consider how manpower assistance can be provided to the police in tackling problems relating to internal security, law and order and disaster management.

In this context, he stressed the need for increasing the number of home guards and also equip and empower them to render effective assistance to police.

The Home Minister said the Centre is prepared to help the State Governments for this purpose. The Civil Defence Organisation also has to be strengthened and services of Scouts and NCC need to be better utilised.

Besides Ministers of State for Home S Reghupathy, Manikrao H Gavit, Sri Prakash Jaiswal and Home Secretary V K Duggal, the meeting was attended by MPs Urkho Gwra Brahma, Dr. K. Malaisamy, Dr P C Alexander, and Jai Prakash Agarwal of the Rajya Sabha and Nikhil Kumar, Mohanbhai Delkar, Khagen Das and Mohan Singh of the Lok Sabha.

UNI SH RL BST1900