ALAPPUZHA: The State Government would bring in a new legislation to modernise

The police force in the State, Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has said. Inaugurating the newly constructed building of Thrikkunnappuzha police station in the district on Wednesday, Mr. Balakrishnan said the Government would incorporate timely changes in the Police Act and the Police Manual.

The Minister promised to constitute a State Police Commission without delay. Community policing has been found effective and the Government would take steps to extend it to all parts of the State, the Minister said.

Mr. Balakrishnan promised to provide equal consideration to all wings of the police. At present there was a trend to treat the personnel of the Fire and Rescue Services and the Crime Branch differently and that would change, assured the Home Minister.

The Fire and Resuce Service would be modernised and adequate number of personnel would be

appointed, promised Mr. Balakrishnan. He also promised to open more Fire Force stations in the State. Mr. Balakrishnan said the construction of new buildings for as many as 80

police stations functioning in dilapidated and rented buildings at present would be completed at the earliest.

Retiring rooms would be constructed in all police stations across the State, he said. The Minister said the Government would speed up the process of separation of law and order and crime investigation sections of the police. The process had started in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode and would be extended to other districts also, he said. Mr. Balakrishnan said the Government was aware that persons with a criminal mindset were there in the police. Such persons would be sternly dealt with, he warned. He asked the policemen to take steps to suppress goons and mafia operating in the State.

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