Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that the three new criminal justice laws were enacted in the spirit of “citizen first, dignity first, and justice first,” and that the police should now prioritise data over “danda.”
Modi, speaking at the 58th conference of Director Generals of Police (DGPs) and Inspector Generals of Police (IGPs) here, urged the police to prioritise women’s safety so that they can work fearlessly “kabhi bhi aur kahin bhi (anytime, anywhere).”
He emphasised that the new criminal laws were written with the spirit of “citizen first, dignity first, and justice first,” and that police must now work with “data” rather than “danda.”
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam were recently enacted to replace, respectively, the Indian Penal Code-1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure-1898, and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872.
According to the prime minister, the new laws represent a paradigm shift in India’s criminal justice system.
He stated that a special emphasis was placed on educating women and girls about their rights and the protection afforded to them under the new laws.
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Modi stated that the Indian police force should be transformed into a modern and world-class force by 2047, the centenary of India’s independence.
The prime minister urged police chiefs to think creatively to convey the emotional spirit behind the newly enacted laws to various segments of society.
Modi emphasised the importance of reinforcing citizens’ positive perceptions of the police.
He advocated for the use of social media at the police station level to disseminate positive information and messages to citizens.
He also suggested that social media be used to disseminate advanced information about natural disasters and disaster relief.
The prime minister proposed holding various sporting events to strengthen the citizen-police relationship.
He asked government officials to stay in border villages to establish better connections with the local populace as these border villages were the “first villages” of India.
The prime minister said that the success of India’s first solar mission, Aditya-L1, and the swift rescue of 21 crew members from a hijacked vessel in the North Arabian Sea by the Indian Navy demonstrate that India is emerging as a major power in the world.
He compared the Aditya-L1 mission’s success to that of the Chandrayaan-3 mission. He was also filled with pride about the Indian Navy’s successful operation.
According to Modi, to realise the vision of a developed India by 2047, the Indian police force should transform itself into a modern and world-class police force in line with the country’s improving global profile and increasing national strength.
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According to an official statement, the conference discussed critical components of national security, such as newly enacted major criminal laws, counter-terrorism strategies, left-wing extremism, emerging cyber threats, and global counter-radicalization initiatives.
During the three-day conference, which ended on Sunday, the prime minister also awarded police medals for distinguished service.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and top police officers from across the country also attended the conference.
The conference was held in hybrid mode, as in previous years, with over 500 police officers of various ranks attending from across the country.
(Source: PTI)
