Police continue alert in State

With the State police force finding itself on the defensive over a spate of incidents related to custodial deaths and misuse of social media by certain quarters, State Police Chief Loknath Behera has asked the entire force to put down attempts to disrupt communal amity and peace in the State using social media platforms.

The State-level monitoring of social media would be extended to the district level as well, Mr. Behera told a videoconference of senior police officials here on Thursday.

The high-level meeting of the top brass evaluated the law and order situation in the State and the functioning of the force. In view of the questions being raised about certain aspects of the Varapuzha custodial death, police officials were directed to follow the guidelines of the Supreme Court while arresting the accused in criminal cases. Third degree methods of investigation and misbehaviour with the general public should be strictly prevented. Mr. Behera said the police would be rewarded for good behaviour.

Care should be taken to gather information about the medical-related issues of the accused. Station House Officers (SHOs) were asked to hold monthly meetings to ensure that the orders and circulars issued from time to time were implemented. Mr. Behera wanted his subordinate officers to strengthen the public relations set up launched in police stations.

According to an official statement issued after the meeting, the conference evaluated the steps taken against the “blade mafia” and substance abuse. Steps should be taken to make inspections and initiate legal steps in order to bring down accidents, which had shown an upward swing in some districts. Mr. Behera said that 100 police stations would be upgraded to smart stations with the most advanced gadgets. SHOs would be given training in order to build their capacities.

The meeting was attended by DGP N. Sankar Reddy; ADGPs N. Sandhya, Anil Kant, and T.K. Vinod Kumar; IGs Manoj Abraham, M.R. Ajith Kumar, Balram Kumar Upadhyaya, Vijaya S. Sakhare, and P. Vijayan; Deputy Inspectors General of Police, District Police Chiefs and other senior officials.