Police force understaffed, over 3 lakh vacancies: Chidambaram
On the second anniversary of the 26/11 terror attacks, Union Home minister P Chidambaram today underlined the need for modernising police force to ensure it performs well in times of distress.
On the second anniversary of the 26/11 terror attacks, Union Home minister P Chidambaram on Friday underlined the need for modernising police force to ensure it performs well in times of distress.
"We must give them proper shoes, proper uniforms. We must give them proper training. We must give them proper weapons. We must give them a decent pay and decent housing," Chidambaram said.
"If we neglect recruitment, clothing, footwear, weapons, training, housing, how will we have a police force that will rise to the occasion in times of tragedy and times of distress?" he said, at a function after handing over a CNG station dealership to family of 26/11 martyr Tukaram Ombale.
We have learnt many lessons in the last two years, the minister said, adding that "I sincerely hope that we continue to learn many more lessons."
"One of the most important lessons is that we must pay attention to police force. If we do not pay enough attention to police force of the country, we will not have an efficient and well-equipped police force in times of distress.
"We must recruit more policemen. There are still over three lakh vacancies in the constabulary in the country," he said.
"In the last two years, states have responded to my call. We have done quite a bit."
Chidambaram hoped that Maharashtra under the new leadership of new Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan would show the lead.