Police must act promptly: Virbhadra

Law enforcement agencies should focus more on sensitising police force to take prompt action to prevent communal violence, said Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh Monday.

Speaking at the National Integration Council meeting here, the chief minister said law enforcement agencies should focus more on sensitising and motivating police force to take effective and prompt action to prevent and contain communal violence.

"Certain selfish forces have been fuelling disharmony and conflicts by spreading fear, suspicion and hatred. Effective steps have to be taken to tackle anti-national forces jointly and earnestly," he said.

The chief minister said Himachal Pradesh is the most peaceful state with absolute communal harmony.

"The state government has constituted special cells under the supervision of deputy superintendent of police at the district headquarters to deal with first information reports (FIRs) relating to communal problems."

He said FIRs lodged by any community on the basis of religion have been treated as special reported case and information in this regard is communicated to the government on priority.

Singh said safety and security of women has been given prime importance. "Emphasis has been laid on recruitment of women in police force and about 20 percent posts up to the level of sub-inspector have been reserved for women."

He said that status of women has shown positive trends in key parameters in the state. Overall sex ratio has improved from 968 in 2001 to 974 in 2011. Similarly, female literacy has increased from 65 percent in 2001 to 76 percent in 2011.

Stressing on the need to educate and motivate the youth for undertaking constructive activities, the chief minister said communalization of national institutions like education, history and polity should be stopped and asked for stringent action against all those who incite and indulge in fissiparous acts.