Police to intensify awareness campaigns across UT
Srinagar, Mar 16: The Jammu and Kashmir Police have decided to intensify awareness campaign throughout the Union Territory to inform the public about the major reforms brought in under the new criminal laws.
The program is designed to acquaint citizens, especially students, shopkeepers, senior citizens, and residents, with major legal reforms that will improve the justice delivery system and provide effective law enforcement.
As part of the campaign, awareness sessions are being organized in schools, colleges, and other public institutions. These programs aim to bring to the forefront the key features of the new criminal laws, such as quicker investigation and trial procedures, tough action against crimes against women and children, enhanced victim protection mechanisms, and the use of digital witness statements for greater transparency. A senior police officer said that the new criminal laws introduce substantial procedural reforms to speed up justice and make policing more effective.
"Our awareness campaigns are designed to inform people about their rights and obligations under these laws, thus creating a more law-abiding society." The sessions, organised at multiple places, have seen huge attendance with residents keen on knowing the effect of the reforms on the judicial system. The police personnel conducting the awareness programs have been updating attendees with information about how these reforms will make for rapid justice, help in minimising the crime rates, and bring back the people's trust in law enforcement authorities. One of the main provisions of the new laws is stringent punishments for offenses against women and children. "We want vulnerable sections of society to get more protection. The enforcement of strict punishments for criminals and victim-centric justice will prevent crime and induce people to come forward to report crime," another police officer was heard saying at a recent session in Srinagar. Also, the new law encourages the utilisation of computer tools in criminal investigations, e.g., witness statements being taken by electronic methods to avoid alteration and ensure veracity. The attempt at modernisation is poised to simplify the investigation process as well as ensure transparency.
The individuals who participated in the sessions enjoyed the effort mentioned that awareness campaigns like these help to reduce the gap between the public and law enforcement organisations. "A lot of us were not that aware of the new laws, and these schemes have provided us with a better idea of how the legal process will function in the future," stated Mohammad Ashraf, one of the participants from Baramulla. The police intend to take these awareness programs to additional districts over the next few weeks with an extensive reach and participation by the public. People have been encouraged by the authorities to actively join these sessions and contact the police for any information or explanations about the new law provisions.
