STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has appealed to police officers not to fall prey to temptation and render duty with honesty and bravery.
Speaking at a function organized at Dispur on Saturday to hand over the appointment letter to home guard Borsing Dey, Sarma said, "Bey is an example of honesty and bravery. There was a time when home guards were used for 'collection' by officers in some check-gates and nakas in the State. Gone are those days now. This government will continue to recognize honesty and bravery. Sometimes officers fall prey to temptation. All officers should stay away from anything tempting. When there is strong leadership, lower-rung officials get the motivation to work honestly.
"Bey is a home guard. I do feel what the life of a home guard is, and his needs. Despite that, Bey ignored the tempting offer and led to the recovery of drugs worth Rs 12 core. He could have gone for a shady deal with the smugglers and got a huge amount. However, he didn't do that. His honesty and integrity will continue to inspire the ranks and files of the Assam Police.
"On the International Day against Drug Abuse today, I'm happy that we've started a war against drug with zero tolerance. In the past 45 days, the State police force seized drugs worth Rs 135 crore.
"It's a known fact that barring the ULFA, many militant outfits of the Northeast are involved in the drug business. Earlier, Assam was used as a transit route of drugs to the rest of India from Myanmar and Manipur. However, State became a market for drugs slowly, and that spelt doom for the next generation. That is why the State government has decided to weed out the drug menace. We plan to put an end to drug peddling in the State so that the youths here don't get it.
"We are contemplating direct promotion to the inspector when any home guard or constable shows extraordinary performance in duty. I've asked the Home Department to make provisions for that."
Apart from drug abuse, the Chief Minister expressed his worry over the organized racket involved in the trafficking of women and children from Assam to the rest of India for unethical activities. "We need to root out this organized gang. We've already taken a stand against cattle smuggling," he said.