Guwahati, Aug 17 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday reviewed the state’s law and order situation and directed police authorities to strengthen a modern, responsive, people‑centric policing system, with greater emphasis on crime prevention and effective investigations.

Sarma chaired a meeting with Director General of Police Harmeet Singh and senior officials of the Police and Home Department to take stock of the overall law and order situation and review key aspects of police administration.

The meeting discussed several issues, including measures to prevent child marriage and polygamy, crime prevention strategies, reforms concerning Home Guards and Village Defence Parties, Dial 112 emergency response services, battalion‑related projects, police housing and rationalisation of police station jurisdictions.

The Chief Minister emphasised the need to strengthen the investigation process and ensure that criminal cases are taken to their logical conclusion. He called for timely, effective investigations so offenders are brought to justice and conviction rates improve.

The review assumes significance amid concerns over the pace of criminal investigations in Assam. The state government had informed the Assembly on July 6 that chargesheets had been filed in only around 54 per cent of nearly 10 lakh cases registered across Assam since 2016, when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) first came to power in the state.

Sarma has repeatedly stressed the importance of improving policing, strengthening investigative mechanisms and ensuring better delivery of security services to citizens.

Separately, Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota on Monday met with Major General Inderjit Singh Bhinder, Inspector General of Assam Rifles (East), to discuss security and development issues in the state and the wider Northeast.

According to Kota, the discussions focused on enhancing coordination between civil authorities and security forces, particularly on security, border management, and development.

The Chief Secretary also acknowledged the Assam Rifles’ contribution to maintaining peace and security and its continued engagement with communities across the Northeast.

–IANS

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