Janamaithri at 100 more police stations

: The Janamaithri community policing scheme would be extended to 100 police stations this year, Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told the Assembly here on Tuesday.



During question hour, he said the scheme would be rolled out throughout the State, based on the number of police personnel available at stations.



He said the Finance Commission had earmarked funds for the scheme. Janamaithri had been found to be effective in curbing crimes in the 43 police stations where it was introduced. The scheme also diversified into activities like palliative care, blood donation and campaigns focussing on crimes against women.



Mr. Balakrishnan said the government would take steps to fill the vacancies in the police force at the earliest. �The success of the community policing scheme depends on the availability of police personnel. There are 4,000 to 5,000 vacancies in the force. Efforts are on to step up recruitment by anticipating the vacancies over the next two years,� he said.