Visible change in policing needed: CM

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, on Wednesday, made it clear that there should be a visible change in policing in the State. “The police setup should function in such a way that punishment is certain if any crime is committed,” he stated.
Chairing the review meeting of the Home Department, the CM said the police setup should send a strong message to the criminals to think twice before committing a crime. “The State should have a perfect law and order situation and peace should prevail. The police officials should be firm in taking action against those who resort to violence in the guise of politics,” he said.
The police officials informed Chandrababu that compared to 2014-19, the crime rate has gone up by 46 per cent during 2019-23 while the atrocities against women, too, have increased by 35.91 per cent. The cyber crime rate has gone up so steeply during 2019-23 that the crime rate has increased by 134.43 per cent, the officials said, adding that drug abuse rate has increased by 107.89 per cent while crimes against children have gone up by 151.88 per cent.
Through a PowerPoint presentation, the officials explained to the CM that of the 143 drones that the police wing has, only 88 are functioning and many CC cameras are not working. Even the automated fingerprint identification system is not working and the funds needed for the repair of these units has not been released by the previous government, they said. The Police Department is also facing difficulties with the outdated vehicles and at least Rs 281 crore is needed for the purchase of new vehicles.
Later, the CM promised to take all possible steps to bring the police wing back on track. He also announced that Rs 10 crore is being released immediately, which has been pending for a long time, for the maintenance of the equipment along with the Rs 11 crore for erecting CC cameras.
The Chief Minister also gave his consent for releasing Rs 61 crore for modernising equipment in the department. Chandrababu is very particular about the police acting sternly in cases with regard to crimes against women. “The criminals who resort to any kind of atrocities against women should feel that if they touch a woman that will be the last day in their life,” he said.
The officers also informed the Chief Minister that the previous government had not only failed to release the State’s share of the 25 per cent funds for Disaster Management, but also diverted the Central funds. Chandrababu Naidu directed the officials to submit necessary reports as soon as any natural calamity hits the State so that the Centre will immediately release the necessary funds.
Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha, Director General of Police Ch Dwaraka Tirumala Rao and other officials were present.