Arthunkal police station becomes first in India to receive ISO certification

Thiruvananthapuram: In a first of its kind in the country, a police station in Kerala has received certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

This distinctive recognition was awarded to Arthunkal Police Station in Alappuzha district.

The certification was conferred following a rigorous two-stage audit process, during which quality and risk management standards were first established and then verified.

Among the criteria evaluated were efficiency in law and order management, crime investigation capabilities, adoption of modern practices in complaint resolution, availability of basic amenities in the police station, and the conduct of its officers. The certificate was formally handed over by Praveen Khanna, Deputy Director General Southern (DDGS) Region, BIS, in the presence of key state police leaders including State Police Chief Ravada A. Chandrashekar, H. Venkatesh, ADGP Law & Order, and IG South Zone, alongside other senior officials.

This achievement is part of the broader Modernised Cherthala Police Programme, spearheaded by ASP Cherthala Harish Jain, IPS. Through this initiative, the police station recorded advancements across various operational areas—ranging from crime prevention and investigation to law and order maintenance, traffic management, emergency response coordination, judicial support, and public grievance redressal. These improvements were assessed to be in alignment with the Indian legal framework, existing government policies, and official directives, with a clear focus on efficiency, transparency, and public satisfaction within the jurisdiction of Arthunkal Police Station.

Interestingly, this major recognition for Kerala Police comes at a politically sensitive juncture, as opposition parties—the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—have raised serious concerns about the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. The Kerala Police's handling of Wednesday’s statewide shutdown has attracted widespread criticism.

Across Kerala, striking unions—primarily the trade union wing of the ruling CPI(M)—allegedly went on a rampage, issuing threats to shopkeepers, offices, and businesses that opted to remain open on Wednesday. Reportedly, none were able to withstand the intimidation tactics employed.

Moreover, on Tuesday, police officials stood by passively as activists from the CPI(M)’s student wing, the SFI, were seen assaulting police personnel who attempted to intervene in disturbances on the Kerala University campus.

(inputs from IANS)