Why can't police be given a day's off? asks Madras HC

Chennai: The Madras High Court has said that the Tamil Nadu government should consider giving policemen a day off in a week like every government servant so that they could spend time with their families.

When a plea seeking abolition of orderly system in the police force came up yesterday, Justice N Kirubakaran said, "Every government servant is entitled to a one-day holiday in a week so that they can spend time with their families, likewise why shouldn't the police personnel who don't get a weekly off."

"It will help them rejuvenate themselves and relieve them from stress," he observed.

The judge ordered Additional Advocate General P H Aravind Pandian to get instructions from the higher authorities in this regard and directed him to mention from which date onwards they would like to implement the instructions.

"This court holds that the government should take serious view of this matter in the interest of the police and take a decision," the judge said, posting the matter to July 12.

During the hearing, the judge also noted that the policemen were forced to work round-the-clock, sometimes without any holiday. They face stress and mental agony so do their family members.

Stating that this was one of the reasons for deviant activities of police officials, the judge said a conducive atmosphere should be created for the policemen as it would help keep the morale high in the interest of the society.

It is necessary to have at least a day's holiday which would be helpful for them and their family members, he added.

Taking note of incidents in which police personnel were attacked he said, "The people who attack the police personnel are emboldened to do it and they (police) are not secured from such attacks, then what will be their fate?"