Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu on Sunday said the state government is committed to modernising the state’s police force.
Khandu said this while attending the 48th raising day of Arunachal Pradesh Police at the Police Training Centre in Banderdewa.
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The day began with the CM paying tribute to the police personnel, who died in the line of duty, at their memorial site followed by an inspection parade and a march-past.
He later released the state police document 2021-2026 themed ‘SMART police for safe Arunachal’.
Addressing the gathering, Khandu said the state government is committed to modernising the police force and said Rs 137 crore was earmarked the previous year for the same.
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He appreciated home minister Bamang Felix and the police department for utilising the fund optimally.
On the strengthening of the police force, the CM said new police stations in Kameng Bari, Dollungmukh, Shantipur, Borduria and Vijaynagar have been made functional besides the new women police stations at Pasighat, Tawang and Ziro.
The state government has made fire stations at Anini, Longding and Bhalukpong operational and the ones at Pasighat, Anjaw and Naharlagun are waiting to be completed, he added.
On police mobility, Khandu said the department has procured new 174 vehicles, nine of them bulletproof.
Khandu said the biggest reform in the police this year has been the common cadre system with prospective effect.
“Once it is implemented, the policing system will be improved, well managed and disciplined,” he said.
Lauding the role of police in fighting Covid19, the Arunachal Pradesh CM urged them to play an active role in bringing closer the diverse communities of Arunachal.
He suggested forming an association of police wives like the Army Wives Welfare Association that could play an active role in bringing positive change in the society.
Assuring full support of the government, the CM said such an organisation could use its network to work for the empowerment of youths and women and also facilitate skill development.
On vision for policing, the Arunachal Pradesh CM outlined the major initiatives to be launched such as new infrastructures, training of firearms, upgrading of training infrastructure, better traffic regulation, strengthening of tourist police and the raising of STF for insurgency-affected areas.
Khandu condemned the alleged involvement of uniformed personnel in drug trafficking. Warning of strict action, he said police personnel involved will be arrested and stripped of their jobs.
“There will be no compromise in fighting drugs,” he said and asked the police to act tough on the illegal drug business and its consumption.
Also committing to carry on his fight against corruption in the state, the CM lauded the role of the SIT and SIC in unearthing several cases of corruption and promised to work for the strengthening of these investigating agencies.
State DGP Rajender Pal Upadhyaya also spoke on the occasion.
Later in the day, Khandu flagged off 54 police vehicles, which are part of the Emergency Response Support System and will be placed at various towns across the state to improve police response.
For the first time in Arunachal, DGP’s Commendation Discs were awarded to 30 police personnel from IPS officers to constables for their extraordinary services.
Khandu handed over the discs in a simple ceremony in presence of Speaker P.D. Sona, home minister Felix, RWD minister Honchun Ngandam, education minister Taba Tedir, several MLAs and top police officials.