SATISH HANDA
In view of fast increasing crime graph in the state, Haryana police department has worked out a road map to control crimes. According to Manoj Yadav Director General Police (DGP) Haryana overall conviction rate in the state has been recorded as 46% witnessed nearly 10% fall as compared to previous year. He said, steps are being taken to gear up police infrastructure in the state to control crimes and take prompt action for arrest of accused, solve cases promptly enabling courts to punish criminals on the basis of police investigation. While talking to media persons, Cabinet Home Minister Anil Vij said that carelessness in police working will not be tolerated at any cost. He expressed concern over increasing crimes against women especially cases of rapes, kidnapping, sex exploitation in the state in past sometime as per National Crime Record Bureau information.
Vij said, in view of fast increasing cases of child abuse reported in past some time on the direction of Punjab and Haryana High Court 16 special fast track courts for protection of children from sexual offences (POCSO) act have been constituted in Haryana state each under the charge of Additional District & Session Judge as per the order of Supreme Court of India to Ministry of Law & Justice, Government of India in July 2019 directing to form such courts in every district where more than 100 child abuse cases are pending in the courts. According to Crime Bureau Record, as many as 43 accused of crime against women have been sentenced imprisonment by the courts in the state in past two months, which include 26 persons in the month January and 17 persons in the month February this year and in most of kidnapping, rape and gang rape cases the victims were minors. DGP said that road map to control crimes against women in Haryana state was produced in recent Vidhan Sabha session by Anil Vij Cabinet Home Minister in which various steps were pointed out to control such crimes.
It was decided that in case of information about a crime against woman police force would reach at the spot within 15 minutes, besides on alert at ‘Durga Shakti Ap’ police would rush at the spot immediately and awareness in this regard would be intensified at all educational institutes as well as public places. Decision was taken that police network in all women police stations in the state would be strengthened with appointment of a psychologist in every women police station. Arrangements are being made to deploy police staff in every school bus carrying female students. Information reveals, over two lakh CCTV cameras have already been installed at prominent places in the state and there is a proposal to install more cameras and deployment of police staff in plain dresses outside educational institutes as well at prominent public places to provide security to females.
While addressing, Vij said that all police stations in the state have been directed to complete investigation in rape cases within a month, whereas investigation in case of sex exploitation cases should be completed within two weeks failing which action will be taken against investigation officer. He said, in case of a rape case DNA test of rape victim as well as rapist would be examined on top priority and an officer of ASP rank would keep strict vigil over crimes against women in every district. According to new resolution an accused of a rape case would have to surrender his driving license, arms license issued by the government apart from other facilities like benefit of pension or a scholarship withdrawn by the government. Vij said that there is provision for a government advocate to fight court case for a rape victim or financial aid worth Rs 22000 to a rape victim.
In road map prepared by the government in Haryana, apart from existing fast track courts in the state, six new fast track courts are being set up in the state at Panipat, Sonepat, Gurugram, Nuh (Mewat) and two at Faridabad. Appointment of a police officer in every district would monitor child abuse cases in police stations and courts. Police would take care of security of a rape victim during medical check up at the hospital as well during appearance in the court along with persons appearing in the court for a evidence. Vij told that an STF and a Narcotic Bureau is being set up in Haryana state to stop drugs smuggling, sale of drugs and speedy action against accused.
