Develop SOPs to probe love jihad cases
STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today expressed concern over drug abuse among youths of the State. While lauding the Assam Police’s war against drugs, the Chief Minister said that the police have been successful in making large seizures of drugs and contraband substances, but to put a check on drug abuse among the youths of the State, it is important to focus on small seizures of drugs and launch a crackdown against small and petty drug peddlers who are providing drugs to youths in small quantities.
While addressing the fourth conference of Superintendents of Police (SPs) in Bongaigaon today, Sarma said, “The police are boldly fighting against drugs but the menace still exists. It is now important to focus on drugs in grams and the drug market within the State. Drug seizures must be intensified in all districts. Small and big seizures are equally important.”
The Chief Minister said that he had received many complaints about police personnel using foul language against complainants, especially parents of children who are into drug addiction and who are involved in inter-faith relationships. “When such parents approach the police for assistance, low-ranked police officers like SI and OC often use foul language. Instead of helping them out, the police officers try to pin the blame on the parents. Because of this kind of behaviour, parents hesitate to approach the police. As a result, the police miss out on valuable information which the parents could have given to help in the investigation,” said the Chief Minister, further adding, “Use of foul language by police personnel must stop. Police personnel must communicate in civil and polite language with the public and complainants.”
On inter-faith marriages, the Chief Minister said that such marriages should take place as per law. “Problem arises when there is forced conversion. That is a crime,” he said.
“Police must take elopements in inter-faith relationships seriously. They must find out the root cause behind love jihad and forced conversions. Police must develop Standard Operating Protocols (SOPs) on probing love jihad cases,” he added. With regard to combating child marriages, another operation will be launched in the month of September in the State. The Chief Minister said that crime against women and children in the State has come down drastically. He, however, said that high profile cases will be tried in special courts and special public prosecutor will be deployed and charge sheet will be filed within stipulated period for serving deterrent to future crimes
The Chief Minister, while addressing the SPs, said that police officers must not work to enhance their image among the public, but to create a good image for the State. He said that police officers should refrain from making unnecessary speeches on public platforms. If at all there is any need to give speeches in public programmes, permission must be taken from the Director General of Police (DGP). He also cautioned police personnel to keep a healthy distance from the media.
“Police investigation must be done in both traditional and scientific ways. Also, police should refrain from informing the media about developments in cases, unless sensitive and important,” said the Chief Minister.
A district-wise review of the performance of the police force will be done, said the Chief Minister. “Three things will be looked into – how many FIRs have been registered, how many charge sheets have been filed and what is the conviction rate. The performance of the police force of each district will be reviewed. There should be healthy competition among the police forces of all the districts to outperform each other,” said Sarma.
He further said that so far, more than 2,000 PSOs have been withdrawn from their earlier duties and engaged in police duties. “Assam Police will soon become a zero-vacancy force as all vacant positions will be filled up soon. In the last two years, 15,000 police personnel have been appointed,” he added.
The Chief Minister also said that Assam Police must examine how Indian Army personnel can be freed from the State by completely withdrawing the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the State. He also said that since insurgency has been defeated in the State, efforts must be initiated to pro-actively monitor and neutralize elements who try to regroup. He also said that the Assam Police must keep strict vigil to prevent surrendered militants from going back to the path of violence. “Proactive steps must be taken to prevent Rohingya infiltrators, smugglers and insurgents outside Assam from using the State as a corridor for transit to other states,” he said. He added, “Vigilance needs to be steeped up to ensure that Assam does not become a traffic corridor for transport of illegal liquor, Burmese supari and other such items.”
Sarma laid stress on citizen-centric policing. “Police should improve coordination between police and homeguards. Draft statutory rules will be published shortly for strengthening the partnership between police and nagarik committees to deliver citizen-centric policing,” he said.
On the occasion of observation of Deshbhakti Divas today, the Chief Minister paid rich floral tributes to the portrait of Tarun Ram Phukan. He also remained present in an MoU signing ceremony between Assam Police, Microsoft and Indian Future Foundation for strengthening cyber and digital security.
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