The Policing in Jammu & Kashmir

Fida Firdous

Jammu and Kashmir Police play a critical role in maintaining law and order against all odds. With its commitment to public safety, it has been instrumental in ensuring peace, security, and the well-being of the people, though challenged by circumstances of a unique kind. The Jammu and Kashmir Police play a vital role in maintaining law and order by apprehending individuals involved in criminal activities, bringing them to justice, and ensuring that the law is upheld without bias. Through their efforts, the police force helps create and maintain a fair and just society where everyone is equal under the law. Upholding the rule of law is also one of the primary responsibilities of the police. The J&K police have been doing a great job regarding community engagement. They actively engage with the community to promote a sense of safety and trust. They organize various outreach programs, workshops, and seminars to educate the public about crime prevention, domestic violence, and drug abuse. Through these initiatives, the police foster stronger relationships with the community, gaining their trust and cooperation in maintaining law and order. This community partnership approach serves to create a proactive and responsive policing system.

Another important aspect of the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s role is traffic management. With the growing number of vehicles on the roads, ensuring smooth traffic flow becomes crucial. The police force efficiently handles traffic management, ensuring the safety of commuters and pedestrians. They regulate traffic, enforce road safety rules, and take necessary action against traffic violators, thus reducing road accidents and promoting public safety. For maintaining peace and ensuring security, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have developed specialized units to address unique challenges in the region. For instance, the Counter-Insurgency Grid is a specialized group focused on combating terrorism and insurgency. These units undergo rigorous training and are equipped to handle high-risk situations, safeguarding the people of Jammu and Kashmir from external threats. The establishment of such specialized units demonstrates the police force’s proactive approach to maintaining law and order.

It is important to highlight that the J&K Police, over the years, has increased its manpower; equipped itself with the latest and hi-tech gadgets; initiated changes in the communication system; updated and augmented its training infrastructure; enhanced its mobility; and established a comprehensive computer networking. Not only this, but a number of measures have been initiated for the welfare and well-being of its personnel, including establishing better healthcare facilities and schools for the wards of police personnel. Their civic action programs have been praiseworthy and impactful in changing the lives of the common masses. The police force has made commendable efforts to keep the region safe and secure. Their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to serving the people deserve appreciation and recognition. With continued support and encouragement, the Jammu and Kashmir Police will undoubtedly excel in their mission to maintain law and order and protect the lives and rights of the people they serve. The first-ever order, as expected, came to resolve public grievances and conduct hearings every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. Two hours would be reserved (2 PM to 4 PM) for meeting individuals who have grievances pertaining to police administration.

The new Director General of Police taking the charge has a distinguished career and has held many prestigious posts throughout his service. As an intelligence chief of the Prestigious Criminal Investigation Department, he has showed exemplary performance in handling the most difficult situations. It is expected that Mr Swain will infuse more energy and dynamism in the police department. He knows the territory pretty well and his leadership will prove very useful for the Police officers and efforts to modernise the professional outlook of the department. The expectations of the common people in Kashmir are high for the newly appointed Police Chief, who has extensive experience and a people-friendly approach for strategic policing to eliminate situations resembling violence on the ground. People of Jammu & Kashmir need to assist the police in eradicating extremism, which has resulted in a significant loss of life and property over the last thirty years of violence.

Suggestions:

The relationship between the police and the public must be sound and respectable, maintaining respect from both sides. For the redressal of public issues fast-track methodology need to be introduced. Behavioural and public dealing training needs to be provided to police personnel stationed in police stations. A system-generated process for lodging and disposing of complaints should be initiated at every police station and at any public place to avoid rush and ensure public convenience. Undoubtedly, the police bear immense responsibility and a significant role in society, where youth can play a crucial part. To foster this, youth should be engaged during police-public melas, where guidance and counselling can be provided by local intellectuals. This initiative aims to acquaint youth with the policing system, making them valuable contributors, especially in addressing issues like the drug menace. An online complaint system via email should be made available in every police station to facilitate the swift delivery of complaints.

A Joint Police-Public Safety Council can be established to foster coordination between the public and the police. This council would play a crucial role in making important decisions and conducting meetings on various societal issues. The council members, chosen to assist the police in coordinating with the public, will bridge the gap between the police and the community. This collaborative effort will make police-public relationships more accessible and reliable for the general public. To address gender-specific concerns during investigations, a separate female police cell may be established in every police station. This step aims to ensure a more comfortable and secure environment for female individuals during interrogations.

A civilian networking system should be formed at the local level to report cases of corruption. Responsible individuals from the locality can be brought on board at every police station. This kind of relationship will promote and foster effective policing. Even if these individuals don’t directly work on eliminating corruption, having people in the networking system will undoubtedly create an atmosphere conducive to transparency and accountability. Joint efforts of the Police-Public Safety Council and networking for the eradication of corruption in society will result in the appreciation of those police personnel who have excelled in police-public services. The police will confer awards for bravery to civilians who have fought against social crimes, drugs, and other social evils. This will also assist the police in resolving social issues amicably. The police, as the executive responsible for maintaining law and order, cannot please everyone but can strive to satisfy the innocent with human courtesy.