Police's firepower

However, the constraints and limitations plaguing the police are far too many and the whole issue should be viewed only in the context of firepower replenishment. The broader issues of modernisation and reform need to be borne in mind and fully addressed.

Without question, better training and equipment will be needed if we want the law enforcers to make their presence positively felt. Indeed, we have long been pleading the case for enhancing the training , mobility and firepower of the law enforcers who are often pitted against hardened criminals. We also laid emphasis on surveillance and intelligence which appear to be a very weak point in the overall law enforcement system. Mobility of the police is another sore point as the criminals are using fast-moving vehicles or vessels to get away.

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But all of it will be of little avail if the long-pending police reform is not carried out to ensure greater efficiency on the part of the police force with a guarantee that human rights norms will be fully observed.

The members of the Cabinet Purchase Committee have rightly expressed their indignation over the murder of policemen. However, the decision-makers should also realise that the efficiency of police can be increased only through a reform package.