Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala police is on a unique drive to put the public at ease in police stations across the state after its internal assessment reported growing negative image about the force in the eyes of the public.
Till now, the stations depict a negative aura for the public and overshadows common man's courage to file a complaint. To change this image, Kerala police will showcase on cartoon each in every station as part of its image cleansing campaign.
Cartoons will reportedly project a positive image about the force, themes such as humanity and corruption. State police chief Loknath Behera unveiled cartoons in six stations as said that the ultimate aim is to convert police stations into a place of service and spread a smile among the public
"Cartoons about the police will be put up in all the 481 police stations across the state. For that, anybody can submit us the cartoons," Behera, who conceived the idea, said.
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The campaign kick-started from Thiruvananthapuram fort police station, infamous for its custodial deaths. Within two months, the campaign vows to ensure every police station in the state flaunts at least one cartoon.
The Station House Officer (SHO) of the Fort, Valiyathura, Kovalam, Vanchiyoor, Museum and Peroorkkada police stations received the cartoons to be put up on their respective stations from the DGP at a function police Headquarters officials here said.
Authorities have already collected cartoons from various artists, especially from noted state-based artist Ha Ku, to adorn the walls of the police stations. There have been various complaints against the alleged ill-treatment faced by people who come to the police stations to lodge a complaint or report a crime.
The recent incidents of alleged third-degree tortures faced by people in some places have also made police stations a synonym of fear in the state.
