LAHORE: Inspector General of Police Punjab (IGP) Captain Retired Arif Nawaz Khan has ordered to install CCTV cameras inside lockups of all 722 police stations of Punjab for stopping and eliminating incidents of torture during police custody and investigation.
IG Punjab also directed to integrate the system with the central police office’s monitoring and control room for effective monitoring of these cameras. IG Punjab gave these directions to all RPOs, CPOs and DPOs by a directive.
In this directive, it has been directed that RPOs and DPOs should undertake the process of installation of CCTV cameras in all police stations of the districts and ranges under their supervision without any delay and all RPOs should ensure 24/7 monitoring of these cameras.
IG Punjab expressed displeasure on illegal detention of citizens and abuse of powers by police officers and officials and said that the high handedness and power abusers will not remain part of the police force and such officers and officials should be ready for strict disciplinary actions. He directed the field officers that they should ensure zero tolerance by taking steps against officials responsible for torture under police custody and also make them accountable for this. He said that such irresponsible officers and officials will be liable to strict punishments under Internal Accountability System in order to make them an example for the rest of the force.
IG Punjab directed all officers that they should speed up surprise visits of Police stations and also monitor the dealing of Police officials with the citizens who come to police stations for resolution of their grievances so that complaints of citizens regarding stern behavior of Police with them should be ended and no stone should be left unturned for resolution of problems and troubles of public.