In order to improve community policing and enhance the connection between the police and the local residents, the government of Jammu and Kashmir initiated a public outreach program called ‘Thana Diwas’. As part of this program, police organized several events at different police establishments across the Kashmir valley. These events were attended by respectable citizens, DDCs, BDCs, Numberdars, Chowkidars, representatives of Traders Federation, Transporters, Auqaf Committees, Panchs and Sarpanches, police officers, and officials.
The district and zonal heads chaired the meetings in their respective jurisdictional areas. During the meetings, the participants highlighted various issues of public importance and shared their grievances with the police officers. The chairing officers assured the participants that their genuine grievances would be resolved on a priority basis, and that the grievances pertaining to the civil administration would be taken up with the concerned departments for early redressal. The grievances were heard patiently and were segregated based on the area of action and jurisdiction.
The main objective of organizing ‘Thana Diwas’ is to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability in policing at the grassroots level and to develop confidence among the people. The participants were urged to cooperate with the police in maintaining law and order and curbing social evils like drug addiction and identifying anti-national and anti-social elements who always try to disrupt the peaceful environment.
The chairing officers stressed the importance of maintaining a crime-free atmosphere in their respective areas and reiterated that the police are always ready to help the community in times of need. The participants appreciated the role of the police in conducting such interaction meetings and assured their full support and cooperation in curbing social evils of the society. Overall, ‘Thana Diwas’ is an excellent initiative to build trust and cooperation between the police and the local residents, and it provides a platform to discuss issues of public importance and resolve grievances.
