CHANDIGARH: Haryana Chief Minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda today expressed satisfaction over the overall improvement in the law and order situation in the State, but directed the senior police officers to ensure visibility of police round-the-clock and said that the Superintendents of Police should make themselves  available to the public for atleast an hour daily from 11 a.m. to 12 noon.

The Chief Minister, who was addressing a meeting of the Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police,here Saturday, directed Superintendents of Police and range Inspector Generals to make surprise visit to police stations so as to check their functioning.

Hooda made it clear to the police officers that they should try their best to redress the grievances of the people and the people must feel a significant change in their perception in next one to two months. He directed that mobile phone numbers upto the level of Station House Officer should be made public so as to make them easily accessible to the people. He urged them to make Haryana number one State in law and order in the country.
 
The Chief Minister appreciated the manner in which the organised crime has been wiped out during last two years and the success of the police in apprehending the criminals who had fled to South Africa. It may be recalled that the State government had permitted its officers and investigators to visit South Africa to expedite the process of extradition of criminals.

Hooda also appreciated the efforts made by the State police, especially Superintendent of Police, Kaithal and Inspector General Police, Gurgaon in busting complex network of cricket betting thus saving a large number of families from being ruined. It was informed by the police officers in the meeting that 1100 telephone lines have been identified  and firm action would be taken to prevent betting on the final match of the World Cup to be played this evening between Australia  and Sri Lanka.

The Chief Minister also reviewed the law and order situation for each district separately and discussed various issues with not only the Inspector Generals of Police of all the four police ranges, but also with the Superintendents of Police. He appreciated the personal interest being taken by most of the Superintendents of Police in easing congestion of traffic and educating the people on traffic rules in their respective areas.

The Haryana Director General of Police, R.S. Dalal  complimented the Gurgaon police for its success in busting an inter-state and an international gang of truck lifters. He said that  trucks were being stolen from Haryana and after preparing their forged papers in Uttar Pradesh these were being sold in Kolkata.  From Kolkata these trucks were exported to Bangladesh as reconditioned vehicles. The State police teams raided places in West Bengal and recovered some trucks and other incriminating documents.

Dalal said that  98 gangs of criminals who were indulged in different crimes had been arrested. While referring to the series of bomb blasts in Samjauta Express recently, he said that an early breakthrough was made to pinpoint the place where the bombs were
assembled. Now the State police was working with other intelligent agencies to identify the terrorists.

While referring to the issue of maoist activities in the State, Dalal said that  two persons have been arrested in Yamunanagar and six others in Jind in this regard and cases have also been registered against them for various offences. Apart from this, two foreign made revolvers and bullets were recovered from the possession of those who
were arrested in Yamunanagar.

The Superintendents of Police were asked  to be  more vigilant against such anti-national  elements as their activities could provoke caste conflicts. Dalal said that a special workshop for Superintendents of Police and Deputy Superintendents of Police would be organised from May 15 to 17 so as to intensify drive against such
elements.

The issue of Bangladeshies residing illegally as work force in the State was also discussed and a need was felt to make more concerted efforts for their deportation from the State.

Dalal  expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister for providing mobile phones upto the level of Station House Officers so as to improve their communication network. He urged that mobile phone be also provided to junior functionaries. He said that the State police has deputed 12 companies of Haryana Armed Police and India Reserve Battalion to assist Election Commission in conduct of elections in Uttar Pradesh.

Crime against persons has declined by 4.4 per cent. Crime against women has also come down, which includes cases of rape, molestation and dowry deaths. The cases of hurt and local disputes have gone down by 10 per cent thus showing that harmonious environment prevailed in the State.

Dalal said that with a view to ensure prompt and quality investigation, the law and order and investigation wings have been separated in two police stations in each district on experimental basis. The same system would be implemented in all police districts as it had shown encouraging results. Also, strategies were being evolved to make roads safe for citizens by checking overspeeding and drunken driving.

The Home Secretary,  K.S. Bhoria said that as the State government has been liberal and positive in sanctioning projects and giving incentives to the police, that should result in further improvement in law and order. He said that their focus should be on building capacity in terms of infrastructure, manpower and skills.

Others present in the meeting included Chief Secretary,Prem Prashant, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, M.L. Tayal, Political Advisor to Chief Minister, Prof. Virender and other senior civil and police officers.