Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Punjab today categorically said that commissioners of Police and SSPs would be held responsible for any laxity in implementing the services of 181 police helpline. The performance of every SSP would be under scan, said the Deputy Chief Minister. Reviewing the functioning of 181, Mr. Badal pointed out that districts Tarn Tarn, Gurdaspur, Amritsar and Ludhiana city were lagging behind in this regard which would not be accepted. Mr. Badal asked Mr. Dinkar Gupta ADGP Law and Order to personally look into the matter and take appropriate action. Mr. Badal also took serious note of the1127 complaints against policemen and directed the ADGP for fair and unbiased investigation so that justice could be delivered to the aggrieved.He has asked all the SSPs in the state to strengthen the newly launched 181 Punjab Police helpline in their respective districts with a view to ensuring complete security cover to the citizens and at the same time maintaining the secrecy of the caller.
Giving details regarding complaints on 181 helpline, Mr. Dinkar Gupta informed Deputy CM that till date as many as 8000 calls have been received out of which 2323 calls were registered. Out of the registered cases as many as 1127 cases related to the Police on which the Deputy Chief Minister has asked the officers concerned to investigate the complaints thoroughly and initiate necessary action. Women have started trusting 181, as the number to call when in distress, said the ADGP. Mr. Gupta informed the Deputy Chief Minister that 80% complainants were satisfied with the prompt action taken by the police in handling complaints on 181 helpline.
Laying more stress on educating the people about the 181 police helpline, Mr. Badal said that public should be made aware of this through properly managed advertisement campaign in the state so as to ensure the delivery of service up to ground level. Large number of compromises reached between opposing parties on police intervention. As many as 30 cases of Counseling were received where mainly women were counseled, he said.Mentioning a few cases, the ADGP said that on the 21st of September 2013 a caller named Balbir Singh (9915715120) a resident of Village- Gatta Mandikhau Tehsil- Shahkot district Jalandhar Rural called 181 at 12.14 am and informed that a person named Hukam Singh, his step son attacked him. He said he needed immediate help. After taking all the necessary details from the caller we escalated the case to the concerned Officer of Jalandhar Rural. The police officials acted promptly in the case and reached the Victim’s place and provided the victim with help and support. Subsequently the Son realized his mistake and sought forgiveness from his father and both the Parties decided to compromise. Later when a feedback call was given to the Caller, he was completely satisfied with the help and support he got from the Police officials and was thankful to the 181 Punjab Police Helpline.