Assam Cabinet reconstitutes Police Station (PS) level citizens' panels

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Cabinet has decided to revitalize the almost defunct police station-level citizens' committees by asking them to hold review meetings in each police station every month and submit reports.

The government set up a citizen committee in each police station in 1996. Ensuring a common platform to allow people's participation in various law-enforcement spheres was the underlying guiding force for such committees. The trust deficit between law enforcers and law-abiding citizens not only de-motivates the police but isolates the public.

Briefing newsmen after the Cabinet meeting, Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah said, "Police station-level citizens' committees are there but in an almost defunct state. For the greater interest of society, we need to boost the police-public trust. Taking that in view, we have decided to reactivate such committees to discuss probable solutions to crimes and other law-and-order issues in their respective jurisdictions. The government will nominate the chairpersons of such committees from local areas. The deputy commissioners and the superintendents of police will nominate three members each to such committees. The objectives of such committees are to help the police in the prevention and detection of crimes in the maintenance of law and order, to strengthen the existing police-public relationship, and to ensure public participation in law-and-order plans concerning the celebration of big events, mega festivals and functions. Such committees will see the timely delivery of citizen-centric services of the police department, ensure responsiveness of police against grievances registered in police stations, look into incidents of alleged misbehaviour and create public awareness on important social issues like drug abuse, human trafficking, witch-hunting, domestic violence etc."

The Cabinet decided the creation of 72 grade-1 temporary posts to promote 72 grade-II ACS officers from 1995-2004 batches.

The Cabinet decided the payment of remunerations to the elected members of panchayats by the tenth of every month. The Cabinet took this decision as the remuneration of elected panchayat members has been irregular.

To set up a centralized community kitchen for underprivileged children, the Cabinet decided to provide 11 bighas of land in the Chariduar Revenue Circle to the Hare Krishna Movement.

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