Kerala districts to have Community Policing

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 23 (UNI) Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan today said Community Policing system would be implemented at selected areas in all the districts in the State from next year.

Talking to newspersons, after attending a meeting of police officials here, he said the system, which would be introduced in all the districts from January 2008, was aimed at making the functioning of the police force more effective through people's participation.

The Community Policing system had been successful in the selected areas where it had beeN introduced as a pilot project.

Stating that stern measures would be taken under the Anti Social Activities Prevention Act, Mr Balakrishnan said 72 persons had been booked under the Act in the State. Warrants had also been served against 114 persons under this Act, he said and added the police had been directed to take necessary steps in arresting them.

The Minister also said stern measures would be taken against the communal forces.

Mr Balakrishnan said the Government was aware of the naxal groups coming to the State and conducting meetings. The police had been alerted against this, he added.

He said the traffic police system would be streamlined.

UNI