Do not hide figures but try preventing crime: Mayawati to cops

Lucknow, Aug 17 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati today asked senior police officers of the state to prevent crimes, instead of hiding crime rate.

Addressing Zonal IGs and other senior officers of the state during the monthly review meeting, the Chief Minister stressed that FIRs should be lodged. ''During investigations if the FIR is found to be incorrect, then action should be taken against the complainant,'' Principal Secretary (Home) J N Chamber quoted her as saying, while briefing reporters about the meeting.

She said FIRs should be lodged and no efforts should be made to fudge the crime rate. ''Preventing crime should be the priority so that people could live fearlessly and enjoy the rule of law,'' she told officers including district SSPs and SPs.

While expressing on the whole satisfaction at the prevailing law and order situation, Ms Mayawati reportedly gave ''special directions'' to IGs of certain zones where law and order situation was not satisfactory, sources told UNI.

The Chief Minister also stressed on the need of 'zero crime' situation. ''Crimes can be prevented as most of the crimes are a result of old enemity,'' said the Principal secretary (Home). ''SHOs of police stations can prevent any family fued or land dispute leading to a law and order situation,'' state Director General of Police (DGP) Vikram Singh said.

The DGP said all SPs have been asked to be present in their office between 1000 hrs and 1200 hrs daily to meet people who come for justice. ''The CM will make surprise checks and those found absent would be punished,'' he added.

The DGP said that the Ms Mayawati has also directed SPs to receive complaints from people who are unable to lodge FIRs in their respective police stations. ''The district police chiefs will have to register the complaint as an FIR and take action against the concerned SHO for failing to provide relief to the complainant,'' he said.

The Chief Minister also asked policemen to use the SC/ST Act judiciously and cancel arms licences of people whose names have figured in FIRs.

Meanwhile, the government has asked the Centre to set up video conferencing facilities at five jails of the state, including Lucknow, Ghaziabad, Allahabad (Naini) and Meerut to enable magistrates to dispose off cases without bringing criminals/undertrials to courts. ''This will check incidents of criminals escaping while being taken to courts,'' Mr Chamber said.

During the August 21 review meeting of Divisional Commissioners, DMs and DIG (Range) have also been asked to remain present.

UNI