‘Saanjh’ Between Community and Police Gaining Strength in Punjab

CHANDIGARH-MARCH 5, 2013: The Centre for Police Administration, Panjab University,
Chandigarh organized a special lecture on ‘Community Policing in Punjab’ by Sh. S.K.
Sharma, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), HRD & CP, Punjab Police on 5th of
March 2013. 

Prof. Anil Monga, Coordinator, Centre for Police Administration while welcoming Sh.
S.K.
Sharma stated that the community policing project in Punjab is an initiative of Punjab
Government to make Police more citizen-friendly. He stated that the purpose of this
special lecture is to bring more awareness among the students about the functioning of
community policing in Punjab. 

Sh. S. K. Sharma while delivering his special lecture emphasized that “Saanjh between
Community and Police is gaining strength in Punjab”. He mentioned that the ‘Project
Saanjh’ emerged from the suggestions given by Punjab Governance Reforms Commission and
full support from the political leadership. The major aim of this project is to bridge
the disconnect between Police and the Community. Under this initiative a framework has
been provided in which all the stakeholders participate in the deliberations at each
level. Saanjh Kendras at the cutting-edge level are functioning as Registered Societies
and provides 20 police services in a citizen-friendly environment. This has resulted in
improving the faith of the community in Police. He opined that though some hurdles have
been faced in the functioning of these kendras, but the political resolve, dynamic
police leadership, dedicated funding and active community support is leaving no stone
unturned to make this ‘Saanjh’ a success.

Prof. Rajesh Gill, Dean Faculty of Arts, in her Presidential Remarks was
appreciative of
the community policing initiatives undertaken by the Punjab Government and suggested
that mechanisms be evolved so that the reforms are carried on in a sustained manner,
irrespective of the political party in power. 

Dr. Akshat Mehta while proposing Vote of Thanks expressed optimism over the manner in
which community policing initiatives are being carried in Punjab and hoped that this
partnership between community and police would gain strength and grow further. 

The other distinguished guests present on the occasion included Prof. R. K. Sharma
(former Coordinator, Centre for Police Administration), Prof. Sudhir Sharma, Prof.
Pawan
Kamra, Prof. Vijay Nagpal, Prof. Ramanjit Kaur Johal, Dr. Swaranjit Kaur, Dr. L. S.
Rana, Dr. P. S. Kang, Dr. Monika Munjial, and Mr. Kuldeep Singh.
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