Vijayawada, Oct 21: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy paid tributes to the police martyrs who laid down lives in their line of duty.
Addressing police personnel on the Police Commemoration Day after taking the salute at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium here on Saturday, the Chief Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment to support the families of the police personnel who sacrificed lives in discharge of duties.
“The police uniform stands for sacrifice and the three-lion symbol stands for the sovereignty of the country,” he said, adding that the country has been observing Police Commemoration Day for the last 64 years.
The Chief Minister handed over a cheque of Rs.30 lakh to the wife of G. Narender who was killed by anti-social elements during the Ganesh festival at Agiripalli in Eluru district.
Despite being citizen-friendly and acting with human touch, the police should not compromise on maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety of girls, women, especially those of the oppressed classes, he said.
“At a time when criminals are adopting modern methods, the police also need to adopt innovative ideas to curb crimes while updating themselves on scientific investigation of crimes,” he said.
Stressing on the need to redefine the words ‘anti social elements’, he said that the gangs who try to take the law into their hands in the name of freedom of the press, human rights and democracy for selfish ends are also anti-socials.
Referring to the recent violent incidents at Angallu and Punganuru, the Chief Minister said that certain groups, aiming at disturbing the peace in society, are trying to attack the Government. They are also anti-social, he said, and urged the police to deal with them sternly.
“Even the courts of law and judicial officers are being heckled and trolled on social media and TV debates are being conducted by those who didn’t get judgements in their favour after being caught with evidences,” he said, adding that such elements are also anti-social.
The Chief Minister said that Andhra Pradesh police, equipped with a strong team of 30 cyber experts, stands first in the country in the investigation of cyber crimes.
Insurance for police families in the offing
He observed that the welfare of the families of police personnel who lay down lives in discharge of duties is of utmost importance to the Government.
“Talks were concluded with the top management of the SBI to provide insurance to such families of police personnel to the tune of Rs. 30 lakh to Rs. 75 lakh,” he said, adding that it would materialise soon.
Listing out the measures taken to strengthen the police system in the State, he said that 16, 000 women police have been appointed at the village and ward secretariat level.
He said that salaries of the Home Guards have been hiked to Rs.21, 300 from Rs. 12, 000 in July 2018 and four new IR battalions were created in the last 52 months, besides providing weekly-offs to the constables and providing an ex-gratia of Rs.17 lakh to the families of 201 police personnel each, who lost their lives due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Unfortunately, Government’s efforts to appoint 6500 new staff in the department including 450 SIs have been marred in legal battles, he said, and asked the DGP to take steps to clear the legal hurdles at the earliest.
Explaining about the steps taken to provide the safety of women in the State, he said that Disha police stations have been established and Disha Public Prosecutors have been appointed to help women.
He said that the Disha App has been downloaded by 1.25crore women and 31, 200 women have been rescued by the police through this app.
The Chief Minister laid a wreath at the Police memorial and observed a two-minute silence in memory of the police martyrs.
Home Minister T. Vanita, Chief Secretary Dr KS Jawahar Reddy, DGP KV Rajendranath Reddy and senior officials also participated in the programme.
