After an unexpected breakout of riots in the city on June 3, Kanpur Police decided to form a bond of understanding with the youth to avoid any such repeat and resolve any disharmony amicably in the future. To do so, they launched the ‘Police Yuva Mitra’ campaign, which is basically a coming together of the police and the youth to maintain peace in society. Indian Masterminds brings you more details about this initiative.
POLICE YUVA MITRA
The evening of June 3, brought with it ugly riots that the people of Kanpur may not be able to forget for a long time. Rioters clashed with the police in one of the busiest streets of Old Kanpur, pelting stones at them and injuring multiple people in the process.
An alarmed police force immediately swung into action and to prevent the recurrence of similar riots in the future, the police Commissionerate launched the ‘Police Yuva Mitra’ at Reserve Police Lines. Under the project, youths will be encouraged to join the police to help them in guarding the city as well as taking care of the people living in it.
Addressing the ‘Mitras’, Kanpur City Police Commissioner Vijay Singh Meena said, “Now, there is no need for you to lift stones in your hands. Like you, we too were once young. We have come here only after coming out of your midst. It is now your turn to become a friend to us and help us in the journey, which will further help you in understanding whether the police that you are working for is doing things for your good or bad. The number of policemen in the city is less. This number will increase with the coming of youth.”
CONCEPT OF THE CAMPAIGN
Under the campaign, Kanpur Police is inviting youths from all over the city for ‘Mohalla Meetings’, wherein these youngsters will be assessed and appointed as ‘friends of the police’ or ‘Mitras’. They will be working for the police and will keep an eye on society and point out anti-social elements trying to disrupt peace in the city, for the police to take further action.
The campaign has been launched to induce better coordination in the police area, establish a cordial relationship between the police and the public, and maintain law and order and communal harmony in the city.
Proper identity cards will be issued to all the ‘Mitras’ and the police will hold meetings with them from time to time, explaining to them their role in society building. These youths will work along the lines of members of the Peace Committees and Civil Defense Committees.
A JOINT EFFORT
“These Police Yuva Mitras will work like the hands, eyes, and ears of the police. Along with taking care of law and order, they will participate in important occasions and festivals. Kanpur City is the first district of the state where the concept of Police Yuva Mitra is being launched,” Mr. Meena said.
Efforts are being made by the Police Commissionerate to connect a minimum of 50 to 100 youths with one police station. In this manner, numerous youths can be appointed, connecting all the stations in the city.
Mr. Meena further said, “Through our Mitras’ efforts, no woman will face harassment on the streets, there will be no small-time thieves running around pickpocketing, and most importantly, the existence of anti-social elements will be negligible as they will always be scared that even though the police aren’t here, their Mitras might be. Together, we will join hands and become stronger than ever to fight off any evil that might come our way.”
The officer also highlighted the importance of maintaining peace and harmony in Kanpur, saying the development of the city depends on all who are living here. “So naturally, any act of violence or fight in the city automatically reflects on us, too. It is we, the people of the city, who are responsible for keeping our name and reputation intact in the country.’
