Police empowered-Gota

10 July 2012 12:53 am - 21 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said yesterday that all the necessary freedom and authority had been given to the IGP and the Police Department to enable them to control the crime that takes place in the country.

“Today no one influences the police. The police do not take orders from ministers. Extensive freedom has been given to the IGP to enforce the law and arrest the culprits and do everything necessary to reduce crime in the country,” he said.

He denied that there was a crime wave in the country. “The crimes committed today are not the fault of the police or me or the government. If a father rapes his daughter or a step father rapes a step daughter, why do people blame the police? If people are killed due to rage are the police responsible? The police alone can’t control these crimes. Religious leaders, parents and the media must also help,” he said.

“On the other hand, if criminals are not taken into custody, or if organised gangs misbehave in villages, and they are not removed from society, the police are responsible. Therefore we gave them powers and freedom to punish the offenders irrespective of their positions,” he said.

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Comments - 21

Just Another Citizen Tuesday, 10 July 2012 05:22 AM

What about arresting politicians, will they do that? And what about the discipline of the police, who has a check on that?

CHANDRAPALA Tuesday, 10 July 2012 04:39 PM

Police does not need an extra power to crack down the crimes since it is their duty to protect the law and order of the country. Only thing they need is Independent Police Commission so that they could carry out their duty without any political influences. Why don't people understand this?

Renu Tuesday, 10 July 2012 03:25 PM

So now they can arrest Duminda Silva?? if there is no political influence

Canadian Tuesday, 10 July 2012 01:18 PM

White Van they are not criminals ... they are employees

union Tuesday, 10 July 2012 11:25 AM

Did police arrest any of your white van squad so far? What powere your talking about?

Fusion Tuesday, 10 July 2012 09:47 AM

“Today no one influences the police..."!? Meh? I assume Mr. GR was not feeling too well when he said that.

Sweat Tuesday, 10 July 2012 08:31 AM

Please make realistic comments. The police act and bring to book only those small time criminals who have no political affiliations. How can you say there is no crime wave in Sri Lanka, if a father as you say rapes his daughter and not brought to book has justice being served. We have seen and heard so many crimes but what shocks us the most is that we do not hear what has happened to these criminals. Is it that we as the citizens of this country don't have a right to know? Maybe not every crime is politically linked, but the fact remains that there as so many crimes where the purpotrators go free, and justice not been served. This is what worries.

commisionner Tuesday, 10 July 2012 07:30 AM

If your statement is sincere, why don't you implement an Independent Police Commission?

shantha madawelas Tuesday, 10 July 2012 05:54 AM

why not giving that power to military police also....

joker Tuesday, 10 July 2012 05:27 AM

I dont know where to start!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bash Tuesday, 10 July 2012 05:17 AM

Then, why Duminda case ??????????????

Punchi Putha Tuesday, 10 July 2012 01:07 AM

All these while were they not? can imagine how they will behave after this

Al Rasa Tuesday, 10 July 2012 04:11 AM

It is not because the empowerment it is due to the sheer in activeness and lack of apprehension of Police.

Mendis Tuesday, 10 July 2012 03:43 AM

that means up to now they did not have powers?

saif Tuesday, 10 July 2012 03:37 AM

our country dosnt need ELECTIONS

backstreetboy Tuesday, 10 July 2012 03:41 AM

this simply means the innocent ordinary people will be harassed further, he is talking of village gangs what about the inner city gangs that roam around in tinted 4WD's ?

Lankashantha Tuesday, 10 July 2012 02:58 AM

So up to now they didn't have it?

janak Tuesday, 10 July 2012 02:46 AM

you mean like in civilised countries?
Do police need to be told to do their job?
no white van abductors arrested?

Calistus Jayatilleke Tuesday, 10 July 2012 02:18 AM

Good, but can the Police realistically move against those local politicians who are politically powerful due to their affiliations with the government. Very much doubtful.

Cobra Tuesday, 10 July 2012 02:17 AM

Who is the DS trying to bluff? We all know for a fact that the police DO take orders from ministers and other powerful people and are very protective of criminals closely associated to the govt. All ordinary citizens who bear the brunt of criminal activity know this and no outspoken official can ever change their way of thinking!

MMSB Tuesday, 10 July 2012 01:29 AM

Please sir, increase our Salary too.

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Police empowered-Gota

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