Bihar govt committed to modernisisng police

Patna, Jan 15 (PTI) Bihar government is committed tomodernising its police and would recruit 10000 policemen inthe next five years, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said today.

The step was among those taken for attaining thenational average of police-public ratio and resource crunchwould not be allowed to come in the way of providing the forceultra-modern weapons and latest equipment, he said at a policeprize distribution function at the historic Gandhi Maidanhere.

The state government has already taken severalinitiatives for modernisation and the police headquarters hasbeen asked to draw up a plan. The plan would be submitted itto the state home department for allotment of necessary funds,

''''More and more police training centres and policeacademies would be set in Bihar,'''' he said adding thegovernment had also taken steps for attaining the nationalaverage of police public ratio.

He lauded the police in reining in criminals andhelping in maintaining peace and communal harmony in thestate.

''''People''s faith in police force has increasedand we need to maintain it,'''' he said adding the morale of theforce had been boosted during the past five years under NDAgovernment because of its respect to human rights and bymaintaining utmost caution and respect while using its powers.

Kumar said there are ten districts in Bihar where SC/STpolice stations are functional and effective steps have takenfor opening river and women police staions.

''''We have to give stress on the community policing andeffective policing in other fields,'''' the chief minister said.

He suggested that the state police hold a police weekevery year.

Kumar rewarded 35 citizens and 406 policemen forbravery and for maintaining law and order.