Only experienced cops for L&O duties: Panel

CHENNAI: As part of the recommendation to prevent the recurrence of incidents like Thoothukudi firing in which 13 protesters were killed, Justice Aruna Jagadeesan commission of inquiry has suggested drafting suitable cops for law and order duty, among other proposals.

Inexperienced officers holding the office of range DIG and Zonal IG will be a strength to agitators, the panel noted. Mobilising cops working in special units, who do not have any experience in L&O situations, will make the situation worse.

Apart from giving periodical training to cops on crowd control and use of firearms, the commission noted that all personnel drafted for L&O bandobast must wear riot gear to protect themselves. This prevents them from running away from the spot for the fear of stone pelting by the mob.

The protocol for possession and use of firearms must be taught to all cops across ranks. They cannot transfer their firearm and ammunition to someone else just like that, the commission noted.

A correct assessment of ground reality by the State intelligence and reporting it to the government for taking appropriate action is also important, it added. “In the Sterlite issue, if the government had announced the decision in advance, there would not have been any untoward incident. Before the firing, no riot flags were raised, no megaphone warnings were given and no bugles were sounded,” the commission had noted. “At Thoothukudi, liaison with civil authorities was conspicuously absent and medical relief for the injured was unavailable. Armed reserve contingent which handled firearms was not even in uniform.”

Corruption and unfair practices in regular policing work will make the public act against police when they get an opportunity.

The commission also recommended the use of special purpose vehicles and suitable riot control vehicles when dealing with situations like Thoothukudi.