Centre mulls to revamp ‘outdated’ J&K Police Act to empower cops

Major police reforms on cards, DGP to be known asJ&K PC; IG’s to be identified as ACPs

5 Dariya News

Srinagar 25-Sep-2019

In a significant development, the Centre is mulling to revamp the outdated J&K Police Act (1857), in a bid to empower policemen in two Union Territories (UTs) of Jammu and Kashmir-Ladakh and J&K. With more reforms on cards, the Centre is planning to introduce new ranks to the Director General Police and Inspector General of Police on the lines of New Delhi which is a Union Territory.A top official in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) told Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that Centre is seriously working to re-frame the existing police act of J&K which seems to be an “outdated model of policing.” “We will take every step to ensure that every single J&K policeman is empowered on the lies of UT Delhi,” he said, wishing not to be named. “It is beyond doubt that Delhi police is known for its credibility and efficiency in tackling crime and other issues including terror (militancy).”He said that Special Operation Group (SoG) of J&K police will be upgraded and SoG men will be provided commando training. “This all is in the pipeline and will take a few months to roll out the entire plan,” the official said. “J&K policemen will also get upgraded weaponry and all other equipment so modernize the force on all fronts.”He said that there is every likelihood that the DGP of J&K will be identified as Police Commissioner of J&K and IGP’s as Assistance Commissioners of Police (ACP’s). “The model will be applicable to Ladakh as well as J&K UTs,” the official told KNO.It will be after more than 151 years that the erstwhile state, ravaged by perpetual strife of almost 30 years, will have a new police act to be called Sources in MHA told KNO that many changes have been made to the existing J&K Police Act of 1862.Pertinently, the Police Act was actually drafted by the Britisher’s as a direct consequence of the mutiny of 1857 against their rule.  The Police Act lays down the structure and functions of the police department in the state.The current administration of police falls under the Police Act, Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1862 (amended in 1993); Indian Evidence Act (IEA) of 1872; and Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) of 1861 (revised in 1898 and 1973). Together, this forms the current, but an “outdated police system.” (KNO)