Speaking at 'Chintan Shivir' in Haryana's Surajkund, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday mooted the idea of "One Nation, One Uniform" for police, saying it is just a suggestion and he is not trying to impose it on the states.
Modi also spoke of the harm of fake news and the need to fact checking.
Modi also advocated close cooperation among the states to tackle crimes and criminals at the Shivir. He said cooperative federalism was not only the feeling of the Constitution but also the responsibility of the states and the Centre.
"The One Nation, One Uniform for police is just an idea. I am not trying to impose it on you. Just give it a thought. It may happen. It may happen in five, 50, or 100 years. Just think over it," said Modi.
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What is Chintan Shivir?
Chintan Shivir, literally meaning a brainstorming session, is a conference of home ministers and directors general of state police (DGPs) forces. Modi addressed it via video conferencing. It's being held on October 27-28.
Home secretaries of states and DGPs of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Central Police Organisations (CPOs) also attended the conference.
The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said the exercise is an endeavour to provide national perspective to policy formulation on internal security related matters in accordance with the 'Panch Pran' (five pledges) announced by Modi in his Independence Day speech.
The 'shivir' in the spirit of cooperative federalism will bring more synergy in planning and coordination between various stakeholders at Centre and state levels, said the PMO.
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Participants are expected to deliberate on issues like modernisation of police forces, cybercrime management, increased use of IT in the criminal justice system, land border management, coastal security, women safety and drug trafficking among other issues.
The five pledges listed by Modi were working to have a developed India by 2047, erasing all traces of servitude, developing pride in India's legacy, keeping unity and fulfilling one's duties.
What did PM Modi say?
Modi said he thinks that the identity of the police across the country could be identical.
Modi also urged the state governments to review old laws and amend them to the current context as he batted for coordinated action by all the agencies to meet the emerging challenges of law and order and security.
Modi said it was "very important" to maintain a good perception of police and the "wrongs here" should be addressed. He said police and intelligence agencies should cooperate with each other to ensure efficiency, better outcome and protection to the common man.
Modi said the good old system of generating human intelligence by the police and security agencies should be strengthened for achieving better results.
"Every state should learn, get inspired from each other and work together for internal security. Working together of states for internal security is constitutional mandate as well as responsibility towards nation," said Modi.
Modi also spoke of the harm of fake news and the need to fact checking.
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Referring to the circulation of fake news, Modi said fact check of such news is a must and technology plays a big role in it.
He said, "People must be made aware of mechanisms to verify messages before forwarding them."
Modi also made it a point that it is everyone's responsibility to maintain peace as law and order are directly linked to development.
(With PTI Inputs)
