Database of criminal castes to be prepared

 Stress on rehabilitation along with firm action by police

Home Minister Shri Umashankar Gupta held comprehensive talks with SPs of the districts affected by criminal activities of Pardhis and Kanjars with a view to finding out a long lasting solution to the problem. He invited suggestions from the Superintendent of Police every affected district in this connection. Director General of Police Shri SK Raut and concerning Additional DGPs also took part in the meeting.

On the basis of discussions and suggestions, the Home Minister issued instructions that such a long-term department-centric strategy should be chalked out for solution to this problem, which is not affected by the transfer of officers. For this, a well-planned line of action should be adopted. This may not produce immediate results, but it will be help in eradicating this problem in the long run. He called for strong-willed joint efforts in this connection.

The Home Minister instructed that better coordination should be established between districts. Besides, efforts should be undertaken for inter-state coordination. If necessary, meetings of other states' DGPs should also be held. A detailed database of criminal elements of Pardhi and Kanjar castes should be prepared and sent to all the districts. Even if they are not involved in crimes in the area they reside in, a strict vigil should be kept on the 'deras' of these castes since they commit crimes in other areas. He said that he will urge Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan to convene a panchayat of these castes. He said that along with dealing firmly with the criminal elements of these castes, efforts should also be made for their rehabilitation. These efforts will bring about a change in the mindset of these people. He said that action should also be taken against those who buy stolen articles. Middlemen, who convince people of giving 'security amount' to these castes' members should also be identified and action should be taken against them. The educated youth of these castes should be motivated to impress upon members of their castes to shun crimes.

Throwing light in detail on this problem, Director General of Police Shri SK Raut said that the criminal elements of these castes have changed their modus operandi to a large extent and equipped themselves with ultramodern techniques. He assured that instructions given by the Home Ministers and suggestions made by SPs will be implemented. He instructed the SPs to be extra cautious in this connection.

Superintendents of Police of the affected districts including Rajgarh, Ujjain, Sehore, Dewas, Shajapur, Datia, Shahdol, Guna, Nimach, Mandsaur, Panna and Ratlam threw light in details on the nature and modus operandi of crimes committed by members of these castes, their network and other aspects. They also came out with various suggestions.

Suggestions

There should be better coordination districts and police stations

Comprehensive database of these criminal elements should be prepared along with their photographs

Cooperation of educated youths of these castes should be taken

There should be spread of education among these castes

More attention should be given to development works

Police action should be firm

Wherever a Kanjar or Pardi is arrested, his address should be verified before presenting him before the court.

Besides, Additional DGPs Shri Vijay Kumar Singh, Shri RK Shukla and Shri Ramesh Arora and IG Railway also made suggestion for the solution of this problem.