Amit Shah slams Delhi Police over rising crime | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: In a stern message to Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora and his deputies, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, made it clear to police on Friday that law and order was the top priority and any laxity was “unacceptable”.
Expressing concern over rising crime in the national capital, Shah has warned senior police officers that if crime was not brought under control soon, officials from top to bottom would be replaced.
He specifically warned the Special Cell and Crime Branch to proceed with utmost seriousness, sources said. “When two special commissioners tried to cover up something, Shah apparently rebuffed them saying ‘rehne dijiye’ and ‘bandh kijiye’, indicating how miffed he was over the functioning of the Delhi Police,” a source said.
Shah was expected to visit the Delhi Police headquarters on Friday but instead the police chief and five-six special CPs were summoned to the Home Ministry and the Home Minister apparently did not mince his words while he was talking to them for about 15 minutes. Union Home Minister Govind Mohan then reviewed their work for about an hour and a half. The Director of the Intelligence Bureau and several others were also present.
The Home Minister reiterated that it is the personal responsibility of all Delhi Police personnel to ensure that every Delhiite feels completely safe. He also stressed the need to completely revamp the Special Cell and Crime Branch. “Safai kijiye,” he warned. This year, apart from two operations supported by the central agencies, the cell has not conducted any major counter-terror operation.
To allay growing concerns over crime in Delhi, Shah directed the police to prepare special action plans and conduct campaigns in key areas related to civil security. “The goal is to ensure that criminals fear the police and that citizens feel assured of their safety,” he said. “You’re good people, but you’re out of sync.”
The safety of children, women and seniors must be the top priority, Shah stressed.
The Home Minister’s directives come amid growing concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation in Delhi. Organized crimes such as extortion and shootings have skyrocketed and street crime has increased dramatically. Police have cited data to claim crime trends have declined, but the situation on the ground tells a different story. Be that as it may, MHA was clear that a lot needs to be done to ensure the safety of Delhiites.