Innitiative taken for new law to curb extortion

The proposed legislation aims to remove that barrier by empowering police to file cases on their own initiative, even when victims are unwilling to lodge complaints, he said.

Fakir said legal reforms were being considered to enable law enforcement agencies to act against extortionists based on digital evidence and other investigative leads, particularly when alleged perpetrators have political connections, criminal influence or positions of power.
Police face challenges in restoring public trust

The IGP also highlighted the challenges police face in maintaining law and order and rebuilding public confidence.

He said police were sometimes labelled authoritarian when they used force to maintain order, while a lack of force was interpreted as weakness.

The relationship between police and the public had deteriorated over the past 17 years, he said, adding that police were working to address problems including the spread of drug abuse in society.
Legal framework for community policing

Fakir said a legal framework was being developed with the approval of the ministries of home affairs and finance to make law enforcement agencies more effective.

Under the proposed framework, community policing would operate as a branch of the police, he added.

He also said joint nationwide operations were underway to tackle juvenile gangs, extortion and drug-related crimes.

The proposed anti-extortion legislation is intended to help police pursue cases even when victims are too afraid to come forward, with the aim of strengthening action against influential individuals accused of such crimes.