Guwahati. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that with the reduction in insurgency-related incidents in the state, police stations will have to be transformed into more people-centric places. Sharma also emphasized the role of civil committees to assist policemen in public service responsibilities. He said, “Assam has been battling insurgency for the last three decades. The police’s focus was on anti-insurgency measures. I will not say that insurgency has ended completely, but incidents are decreasing. Police stations will have to be transformed into more people-centric places. “
The chief minister was addressing the first state-level conference of citizens’ committees of all 307 police stations in the state. He said the long and arduous nature of duty of policemen makes them tough in their routine dealings. He said the role of citizens’ committees could also reduce some of the stress by helping the personnel engage in civic work. Sharma said the positivity created within the society could be a factor of ‘slow but lasting’ social change and the committees could help in discharging public service responsibilities entrusted to the police force.
He said, “There are two aspects of policing – administration of criminal justice and public service. The first aspect can be dealt with by the Indian Justice Code. Criminal justice, criminal investigation, filing of chargesheets are included in the first aspect, the committees have nothing to do with it.”
Sharma said, “They (committees) have to maintain good relations between police stations and public.” The Chief Minister said police stations perform several responsibilities like granting permission to hold fairs and festivals, issuing various certificates to residents under their jurisdiction and the committees can play a positive role in prompt disposal of such services. He said, “Crime rate is coming down. Charge sheets are being filed on time in cases where forensic opinion is not required. We are also improving our forensic science unit so that charge sheets can be filed within three months even in such cases.” The Chief Minister said the new committees will start functioning from October and the 12-member committees will play an important role in acting as a bridge between the public and the police.
