The need for reforms in the State police department, starting at the grassroots level was the centre of discussion at a campaign for the withdrawal of Tamil Nadu Police Ordinance-2013 that was held in the city on Sunday.
Participants at the event decried the ham-handed actions of a section of the police personnel and the resultant insecurity it was causing among the public. A speaker said, “The distrust people have with police has plummeted to abysmal levels. People, especially rural folk, fear for simple tasks such as lodging complaints at police station anticipating rebuke from even constables.”
The seminar was jointly organised by the non-governmental organisations (NGOs)—People’s Watch and Human Rights Advocacy and Research Foundation.
Aspects relating to reform in the police department that can result in positive changes to the society were deliberated at length, with the participants offering their feedback on the same.
Henri Tiphagne, founder and executive director of People’s Watch, and Ossi Fernandes, director of Human Rights Advocacy and Research Foundation, and former ADGP Nanjil Kumaran were among those present.