CHANDIGARH, Aug 18: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today directed the police officers to ensure that no harassment is caused to the general public during agitations launched by ``politically motivated groups without any reason''.Presiding over a high-level meeting of the senior police officers and the Senior Superintendents of Police from all over the state, the Chief Minister said such a situation should be tackled firmly and tactfully without violating democratic norms.His observations were with reference to `rasta roko' and `chakka jam' agitations which cause inconvenience to the general public. He instructed the officials to take all preventive steps as per the law in such situations.He gave clear directions to the police officers to be humane in their approach and take firm action. The complaints received by the police stations should be expedited to ensure speedy justice to the needy people. People-friendly culture should be evolved in police stations so that the common man approaches the police without fear. He said efforts should be to settle the cases by ensuring compromise and mutual understanding between the feuding parties.He said the police officers should deal with the cases on merit alone and advised them not to succumb to pressures. The staff in police stations should work with transparency. He claimed that his government had posted only meritorious officers to head the districts in both civil and police administration.While reviewing the law and order situation, he was all praise for the police and said barring two or three incidents, the situation had remained peaceful during the last one and a half year. At the same time, he stressed the need to remain fully alert and vigilant.Referring to the functioning of the vigilance wing, Badal wanted it to be more effective in its performance to check corruption at various levels in government departments. He directed the vigilance wing to complete the inquiries within the given time frame. He also emphasised the need of activating the intelligence wing so that the prior information on different fronts could enable the government to take preventive measures.The Chief Minister assured he would hold meeting of the SSPs every two month.He gave his approval in principle to the proposal of computerisation in the police organisation upto thana level at a cost of Rs. 1.40 crore.Director General of Police P C Dogra assured the Chief Minister that accountability would be ensured and steps were being taken towards people friendly policing.
