Bengaluru, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday cautioned that cybercrimes and drug-related offences are on the rise in the state and urged the police to take strong and effective measures to prevent them.
He also asked the police to use technology effectively to curb such crimes.
The CM was speaking at the ‘Karnataka Police Flag Day’ event, attended by Home Minister G Parameshwara and senior Home Department and police officials.
“In the last three years, there has been a decline in major crimes like murder, robbery, and theft. I compliment the police for this. However, we cannot ignore that in certain crimes we are above the national average. Cybercrimes and drug- and narcotics-related offences are on the higher side, and the conviction rate is also low,” Siddaramaiah said.
Addressing police officers and personnel, he said that the Karnataka government intends to make the state drug-free and that all necessary measures should be taken in this direction.
“I have stated on several occasions, and I reiterate that criminal offences cannot occur without the knowledge of the police within their station jurisdiction. This must be clearly understood,” he said.
“If police inspectors work efficiently and honestly within their limits, they can prevent several criminal activities,” he added.
Noting that the Constitution clearly guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the law, the CM said this principle should always be upheld.
“No one can take the law into their own hands, irrespective of how powerful or influential they are,” he said.
He also urged the police to remain alert and work efficiently in areas where they are lagging in preventing crime and maintaining peace and tranquility.
Emphasising the use of technology in crime prevention, Siddaramaiah noted that the police have lagged in this area on several occasions.
“By using technology, the police should prevent crimes, especially cybercrimes and drug- and narcotics-related offences, as these are destroying our youth, who are our future. This is very important,” he said, adding that two special task forces have been set up to tackle cybercrime and to make the state drug-free.
Warning of action against police personnel who fail to prevent crimes, the CM instructed the home minister to hold jurisdictional inspectors accountable if necessary preventive measures are not taken despite repeated warnings.
He added that his government is committed to protecting women, children, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable sections of society, and that the police play a crucial role in ensuring their safety.
Acknowledging that police personnel, unlike those in other departments, do not have fixed working hours and often work during festivals and holidays, he said, “A country or state with good law and order can progress, as it attracts investment, reduces unemployment, and boosts GDP growth. Therefore, along with development, maintaining harmony is equally important.”
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