CHRI, CSNSR in Odisha launch new report on Crime and Policing

The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) and Centre for the Sustainable Use of Natural and Social Resources (CSNSR) have launched "The State of Crime and Policing in Odisha: Results of a Study Conducted in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jajpur and Kandhamal​” on 7th November 2019 at the Press Club, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

The study grew out of an earlier report which looked at Bhubaneswar and Cuttack urban police districts while the new survey provides comprehensive data, from January 2017 to May 2018, on select parameters related to crime and policing covering 84 police stations across these four police districts.

These parameters include key crime statistics, strength and shortfall of police personnel with rank, gender and area-wise breakdowns, levels of representation of caste and religion within the police.  They also look at conditions in police stations, adequacy of police housing, complaints against the police, compliance with duties under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. There is a section on questions raised on policing by Members of the Odisha State Legislative Assembly.

The report points out gaps and provides recommendations towards solutions and correctives. 

Prof (Dr) Sri Krishna Deva Rao, Vice Chancellor, National Law University, Odisha and Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, Editor, Sambad, took part in the launch, saying that they valued the effort to collate comprehensive data on policing parameters. 

About 90 participants attended the launch, including civil society activists, groups and journalists.

Media Coverage:  Kanak News | Orissapost.com | Dailypioneer.com