Training enables policeman to perform better: Patil

Nashik, Nov 4 (UNI) Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil yesterday said the training imparted at the institutes such as the city-based Maharashtra Police Academy (MPA) will enable the trainee policeman to perform better which will ultimately help the nation.

Addressing the centenary celebrations of the MPA here, Mr Patil, who was the chief guest, said the Maharashtra police force was doing good work compared to their counterparts in other states in some respect. Mr Patil said that the need was to increase the number of policemen to tackle the rising crime rate and equip them to solve the changing nature of crimes. Some states have taken initiatives in this regard, he added.

As police look after the internal security of the nation, intelligance and training is important to them, Mr Patil said.

''Our minds should be strengthened. The crime rate in comparison to other nations is less considering the population in India,'' the Minister said.

Later, in an interaction with reporters, Mr Patil said the good work done by the policemen should be appreciated.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, state director general of police Dr P S Pasricha, deputy chief minister and home minister R R patil, state PWD minister Chhagan Bhujbal and minister of state for Home Manikrao Gavit were also present on the occasion.

Deputy chief minister R R Patil, in his speech, demanded that the present capacity of the MPA to train 600 PSIs in a batch should be increased to 1,000 PSIs, and the institution should be given autonomy on the basis of Yashda. ''Mumbai, being the financial capital of the country, is the target of criminals. However, the police force is doing admirable work,'' he added.

A special ceremonial parade of the 281 cadets of the 98th batch in the centenary year was held on the occsion. A special commermorative stamp was released on the occasion. A coffee table book of the MPA was also released by the Home Minister.

UNI