R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

Regional potpourri

• Soft(ware) targets

• Human rights award for cop

• Classroom and connectivity

Seminar: Kamla Nehru College for Women organised a national seminar on ‘Moral Rights of Copyright Holders’ here on Saturday. Justice N.K. Sood gave a talk on the Act.

Regional potpourri

Soft(ware) targets

Implementing the Chief of Army Staff’s vision of “Iron Fist with Velvet Gloves”, the Romeo Force of the Indian Army has taken upon itself the task of spreading computer literacy among the youth in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir. 

In a way, it is the Army that has provided to the underprivileged children the computer education that the civil administration had so far failed to give in these far-flung areas. The youth in the two most backward districts of Jammu and Kashmir, who have remained deprived of such facilities, would benefit immensely from this initiative.

According to a spokesman for the Army, out of the Rs 1.06 crore being spent on creating educational infrastructure during the current year, 11 projects worth Rs 10.94 lakh have already been completed. They involved the creation of information technology infrastructure and spreading of computer literacy.

The Romeo Force also plans to undertake eight IT projects worth Rs. 14.3 lakh in the region in the coming year. Under the IT project, computers and peripherals have been provided to schools, educational institutions and Women Empowerment Centres in the area on responsibility.

In continuation of the efforts, a state-of-the-art computer training laboratory (CTL) has been established in the remote village of Palma. It was inaugurated by Maj-Gen A.C. Soneja, GOC, Romeo Force, recently. The campaign for spreading computer literacy is not only restricted to creation of information technology infrastructure. Even the company commanders are conducting lessons and imparting tuitions in computer fundamentals to local boys in their respective areas of responsibility.

The result? The beaming faces of the locals say it all.

Human rights award for cop

Hisar SSP Arshinder Singh Chawla received a human rights award from the Haryana Governor recently.

A human rights award for a senior police official? Sounds a bit incredible, but it is true.

The Hisar SSP, Arshinder Singh Chawla, was recently honoured by the Haryana Governor, Dr A.R.Kidwai, for his outstanding contribution to the protection of human rights.

The SSP was honoured with a citation and a shawl at a function organised in Chandigarh. The award has been instituted by the Society for Civil and Human Relations, Delhi, headed by former CBI Director Kartikeyan.

Chawla, who was among the few IPS officers selected for undergoing a crucial training programme in Italy, believes in innovative policing with a human face. For instance, in view of the ongoing Cricket World Cup, he recently launched a scheme to provide a cash award for persons informing the police about betting or “satta” on cricket.

Besides, he has lately devised two novel moves to ensure that the dreaded criminals get arrested and punished by a court of law. The first scheme, titled CYAA or Criminal You Are After, targets the dreaded criminals of the district. “We feel that getting such criminals behind bars is vital in the larger interest,” Chawla says, adding that a two-pronged strategy was being adopted in this regard.

The second scheme, titled CTBA or Criminal To Be Arrested, is about arresting the bad elements who have been active in criminal activities in the past. “This scheme aims at giving all SHOs a target-oriented approach,” Chawla observes.

This enterprising top cop is also trying to make the police stations people-friendly by creating reception counters to provide single-window service.

Contributed by S.P. Sharma and Sunit Dhawan