Police Forces strength to be raised

CHANDIGARH, OCT 25
Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today said that in view of the growing threat of terrorism in the country efforts were being made by the Government to raise the strength of the Central Police forces from eight lakh to 12 lakh and state police forces from 14 lakh to 21 lakh.
Addressing the gathering after giving away medals to the winners of the 57th All India Police Sports `Wrestling Cluster' Meet at the Vachher Stadium in the Haryana Police Academy here, he said that he had assured the chief ministers of all states who met recently that all their proposals for increasing the strength of their state police forces will be approved by the Central Government without any delay.
Describing Haryana as a role model for other states in terms of maintaining peace and tranquility and brotherhood among the various communities, Mr. Patil praised the Director General of Haryana Police Ranjiv Singh Dalal for providing excellent facilities to the personnel of the central and state security forces to compete.
Making a strong pitch for providing greater facilities to the police forces to compete in the field of sports, he said that sports should become an integral part of our youth to keep them healthy and channelise their energies in a positive direction. Quoting figures from an international study he said it had shown that apart from England young children from all other countries show signs of being
mischievous. This is because the facilities and encouragement being providing to youngsters to participate in sports was the best in that country, he added.
While expressing satisfaction with the fact that in Haryan Police the strength of the women personnel had increased to five per cent, he said he would be happy if this was gradually increased to 10 per cent.
Commenting on the demand made by the state DGP to raise an exclusive women's Indian Reserve Batallion, Mr Patil said let alone one, if a demand is made for two such battalion the government was ready to accept the demand.
He also accepted the state police chief's demand for an internationallevel athletics wing to be set up in the Haryana Police Academy and laying a tartan synthetic athletics track at the stadium.
Mr Patil was all praise for the yoga, horse riding, motorcycle aerobatic display, drill and cultural programme presented by the Haryana Police personnel.
Welcoming Mr Patil, Haryana Parliamentary Secretary (Home), Mr Param Veer, who was the guest of honour, listed out the various steps being taken by the state government to encourage sports. He said the state government was not only laying emphasis on strengthening the sports facilities but also providing government jobs to outstanding sportspersons from the state.
State Police Chief Ranjiv Singh Dalal, while thanking Mr Patil assured him that besides providing security to the people of the state, the personnel of the state police while leave no stone unturned to achieve the highest standards in sports.
Among the dignitaries present were Members of Parliament from the state Arvind Sharma and Naveen Jindal.