Punjab govt takes steps to improve law enforcement machinery

"At present, the policeman who makes an arrest in a particular offence is also its investigating officer. But now it has been decided to separate the investigative process from policing duties," Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who also holds the Home portfolio, told reporters.

He was speaking on the sidelines of an event to launch a feedback portal for state police.

Badal said separate investigative cells would be set up in each district of the state, which would comprise of trained officers who will conduct probe in proper manner.

A unified control centre under the command of the DGP to monitor the functioning of the force at every level was also on the cards, Badal said.

The proposed control centre would be led by the ADGP (law and order) and have a 24-hour toll-free helpline, besides being accessible via e-mail.

He said the control centre would be required to address complaints within a three-week time frame, and any policeman found not performing his duty as per these guidelines would face stringent action.

Taking a serious view of the incidence of road mishaps in Punjab, Badal said that it will be made mandatory for all commercial vehicles in the state to sport rear light reflectors. Also, speed guns would be installed on all major roads in the state, he said.