Students to be new informants for cops?

Bengaluru: The city police are planning to rope in students, who can help them by reporting incidents that go unnoticed otherwise. The plan has been taken up under the Nirbhaya Scheme, which has been approved by the Centre after sanctioning hundreds of crores. The police will train these students to act as confidential informers and will ensure that their identities are protected. They will also be given identity cards.

A senior police officer said that the idea is still being discussed and is at the planning stage. “But we surely want the youth to help us in curbing crimes and illegal activities. We would like to implement it soon. We are planning to conduct awareness programmes for students above Class 8 and college-goers. We will create awareness to make them realise how important their role is in keeping society clean and how they can help people in distress,” the officer said.

He said that the youth, especially students, know what is happening around their institutions, but do not disclose it to anyone, fearing repercussions. “We want them to help us by providing information, which can bring to light some crimes. For example, drug pedalling outside colleges, classmates being threatened by someone or eve-teasing. It is not restricted only to their institutions. They can keep their eyes and ears open for such incidents near their residences and streets,” the officer said.

Another police officer said that those who choose to become volunteers can remain informers for their life and their identities and details will be kept confidential. “This programme is meant to empower the youth who can help build a better society,” he said. The idea is being discussed with senior officers and authorities concerned. Once it is approved, the programme will begin, he said.