Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today asked the police to adopt a more "relaxed and humane" approach in dealing with situations, so that the men in uniform acted as an "institution of public reassurance", rather than a "cause of fear" among the masses.
Chairing a meeting of senior police officers of the Kashmir province here, she asked the force to take to social and community policing, an official spokesman said.
Mehbooba said a "compassionate and responsive" approach towards the law abiding citizens would automatically isolate the criminal elements in the society.
"This attitudinal change would make crime eradication much easier and also improve the image of the force in the eyes of the public," she said.
The chief minister asked the district superintendents of police to follow a "social catharsis" approach while dealing with the youth, which she said would persuade them not to trade the path of violent waywardness, thereby ushering them towards positive and gainful purposes in the society.
She also directed the officers to ensure that the incidents of breach of standard operating procedures by jawans after a security operation did not recur.
Asking the officers to enhance their public outreach in their respective areas, Mehbooba directed them to periodically visit the distant and far-off areas of their districts to get a feel of the needs and difficulties of the people.
She also directed them to step up the investigation in the cases of public interest.
Flagging drug abuse as a major challenge for the police, society and government, the chief minister directed the officers to go the whole hog against drug peddlers and those involved in the cultivation, transportation and trading of bhang in the state.
She directed them to use the most stringent provisions of law, including those of the Public Safety Act (PSA), against them so that the youth was saved from falling prey to drug abuse.
Expressing concern over crimes against women, Mehbooba sought a detailed feedback about the functioning of the women police stations, which were set up in the province last year.
She directed the officers to act tough against those involved in cases of rape, eve-teasing, violence and other crimes against women and bring them to justice in a time-bound manner.
Paying rich tributes to the officers and jawans of the force, who lost their lives while on duty, Mehbooba asked the home department and police headquarters to furnish the details of cases, where compassionate help or assistance could be extended, at the earliest.
Earlier, Director General of Police S P Vaid briefed the chief minister on law-and-order, crimes and drug abuse in the Valley.
He also flagged the issue of space constraint for officers and constabulary in the cities and towns.
The chief minister was informed that so far, 60 youth had been prevented by the police from joining anti-social networks.
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