Noida Police Raises Awareness on New Criminal Laws in Village Meetings

Noida Police officials met with residents of several villages on Thursday to discuss the impact and implementation of new criminal laws. The meeting, held in Rohillapur village, Sector 132, was attended by senior police officers, including Assistant Commissioner of Police Noida-1 Praveen Kumar. Residents from Shahpur, Garhi, Gejha, Chalera, and Atta villages participated.

The engagement aimed to inform the community about the new laws and address their concerns. This dialogue is part of an ongoing campaign by Noida Police to raise awareness about the recent legal changes. "These laws are made considering today's circumstances, and we will continue to discuss them with the public," ACP Singh stated.

New Criminal Laws Explained

Three new criminal laws came into effect on July 1, replacing the British-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) bring significant changes to India's criminal justice system. ACP Singh emphasised that these laws aim to deliver justice rather than serve as punitive measures from the colonial era.

NOVRA president Ranjan Tomar highlighted challenges faced by rural communities. He stressed the need for effective community policing in the absence of the village panchayat system. "A system must be established to determine who in the community can assist in improving district administration," Tomar asserted.

Addressing Local Issues

During the meeting, NOVRA addressed issues such as discrimination faced by rural residents from the Noida Authority, tenant-landlord disputes, and the need for a community policing policy post-Covid. ACP Singh assured that a WhatsApp group including village dignitaries would be formed to monitor issues.

Initiatives on women's empowerment were also discussed. The creation of digital volunteers and addressing online fraud and mobile snatching were among other topics covered. ACP Singh highlighted these initiatives as part of efforts to enhance cooperation between the police and the public.

The objective of these engagements is to ensure that residents are well-informed about new laws and feel supported by local authorities. By addressing specific concerns and fostering open communication, Noida Police aims to build a stronger relationship with village communities.

The meeting concluded with assurances from police officials that they would continue to engage with residents regularly. This ongoing dialogue is seen as crucial for effective law enforcement and community support in Noida's rural areas.