Rajnath Singh asks Delhi Police to extend full support to AAP govt

New Delhi: Home Minister Rajnath Singh today asked Delhi Police to extend full support to the Arvind Kejriwal government here even as he reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's view that the states should be given every assistance rising above party lines in keeping with the spirit of "cooperative federalism".

"I would like to remind you that a new government has been formed in Delhi. A new party has got the mandate and a new government is formed. I expect you to extend full cooperation to this newly-formed government so that it can pave the way for the city's development," Singh said at the 68th Raising Day parade of Delhi Police today.

He emphasised that the states need to be developed so that the country may see all-round growth.

"We understand that unless states are developed, the country cannot progress... A state may be ruled by any party.

"Our Prime Minister has also said the same thing; we believe that all states should be provided complete support rising above party lines so that India can be made a world power through cooperative federalism," he said.

Appreciating the force's efforts for ensuring the safety of women in the national capital, he said that it was not just the people of Delhi, but even the Prime Minister who gets worried whenever there was a crime against any woman here. However, he reminded that more has to be done on this front.

"And I would also like to assure the new government that Delhi Police will extend all support for maintaining law and order in the city and will not let any anti-social elements disrupt the development work," he added.

The Home Minister said that despite various challenges, Delhi Police is doing a good job.

"Providing security to a diverse city like Delhi is an extremely difficult task. Despite the challenges, Delhi Police's performance has been excellent," he said.

Meanwhile, talking about the recent attacks on churches, Singh said that the Delhi Police Commissioner and other officials have taken strong action to prevent repeat of such incidents.

Different communities live here and small things become national news while anything bigger becomes international news, which hurts Delhi Police's image, he said, adding that the force should work proactively to maintain its image.

Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi had invited Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Cabinet for the event, but nobody from the newly sworn-in AAP government attended the function. Both the Home Minister and Bassi asked the media not to "read too much" into the issue.

"One should not read too much into the issue; it is a matter of privilege. You have to see the tradition, earlier too, the Cabinet did not attend this function. I am sure, he (Kejriwal) will attend tomorrow's 'At Home' function," said Bassi.

Singh said that the people from the Northeast region should not feel alienated in the national capital.

"We are pained when something happens to them anywhere in the country. I would like to say that if anybody practises discrimination against them, strict action would be taken," he said.

The Home Minister advised Delhi Police to give protection to the poor people and said the force "should be sensitive to the right to livelihood of street vendors, rickshaw pullers and small traders and strive to win their blessings".

He said that police should take "dua" (blessings) from the poor and give "dawa" (succour) by dealing strictly with criminal elements.

"If you give the 'dawa' for criminal elements, the general public will give you 'dua'," he said.

Stressing on the need for adopting modern technologies for effective policing in the 21st century, Singh said that the new procedure for issuing the Police Clearance Certificate was a step in that direction.

He said that Delhi Police should take the lead to realise the Prime Minister's dream of 'SMART Police' (S-Sensitive and Strict; M-Modern with Mobility; A-Alert and Accountable; R- Reliable and Responsive; T-Trained and Techno-savvy).

He also lauded Delhi Police's Himmat app, which was launched by him a couple of weeks ago, terming it an "effective application to provide security to women" in the national capital.

Flagging women's safety as a major concern, he said that the Centre has asked all state governments to constitute Investigative Units on crimes against women. 

On the security of minorities, the Home Minister assured that the Centre and Delhi Police will extend full cooperation to ensure security of the minorities and their religious institutions.

Talking about the Special Investigation Team recently set up by the Centre to probe the 1984 riots cases, he said that he was confident that justice would now be done to the victims and their families.

The Home Minister, who announced a grant of Rs 5 crore for the Delhi Police Education Welfare Fund for the construction of a school building, earlier inspected the guard of honour and took the salute following the parade, which was commanded by a woman officer -- ACP Apurva Gupta.

"I am very happy that the parade was led by a woman officer. The parade was very good and if I want to grade it, I will give - Excellent," he said.