NEW POLICE BILL TO BE INTRODUCED BY GOVT.

PANJIM: With the President of India returning the police bill passed by the Goa assembly to the House, the state government has decided to introduce altogether a new police bill in the upcoming session of the state legislative assembly, scheduled to begin from January 31.

According to highly placed sources in the state administration, the new bill would be comprehensive and replace the Bombay Police Act, the Madras district Police Act and some other police Acts now being followed in the state. All the Acts would be repealed once the new bill becomes the law.

The Delhi Police Act followed in the state, however, would continue to be operative as it allows the state police to transfer some sensitive cases to the Central Bureau of Investigation, the sources informed.

The new bill would not only help revamp the police force, whose image has taken a beating in view of some unsavoury incidents involving police force, but also provide police force adequate powers and new command, the sources said adding that with a new Act the police would perhaps begin on a clean slate to discharge their duties as envisaged. (NT)