Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday directed the police to complete the investigation and file chargesheets in all pending rape, murder, drugs, extortion, and arms cases across the state within the next six months.
Sarma issued the instruction to the Officers In-Charge (OCs) of all police stations across Assam at the first-ever face-to-face meeting between the OCs and the chief minister in Guwahati on Monday.
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“Within the next six months, chargesheets in all cases of rape, murder, drugs, extortion, and illegal arms pending at your police station must be submitted. Ask your senior officers, the range DIGs, for help wherever required,” he said.
If there is a delay in getting forensic test reports, samples can be sent to forensic laboratories outside the state as well, the chief minister said.
He added that agreements can be signed with 4-5 top such laboratories in the country for the purpose.
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Sarma also asked the OCs to form teams in their police stations and take the help of the CID in preparing the charge sheets.
“There would be a maximum of five rape cases in one police station area in a month. And a chargesheet is of three pages. We should think of the victim as our mother, sister, or daughter and prepare the chargesheet,” he added.
The chief minister maintained that 50 per cent of the pending police cases in the state can be disposed of if chargesheets are submitted quickly.
He said the conference between him and the OCs will take place every six months henceforth and the OCs will have to brief him on the progress in their investigations during the meetings.
Sarma further asked the OCs to ensure that police verification certificates for job aspirants should be issued within seven days, with the police personnel themselves informing the person concerned that it has been issued.
Similarly, there should not be any delay in case of police clearance for issue or renewal of passports also, he added.
“Families of people killed in road traffic accidents must be given the police report within 15 days. Once the post- mortem report reaches the police station, there should be no delay at the thana level,” Sarma said.
Talking about the government”s plans to provide facilities to the police stations, he said that all OCs will be allotted a four-wheeler or a motorbike, as required, within the next three months.
“Further, Rs 2.50 lakh will be given to each police station annually as a contingency fund to meet recurring expenses like electricity and phone bills, fuel charges, which could be a little more for larger police stations,” the chief minister announced.
Besides, ”source money” for each police station will be provided through the IG (Special Branch) as maintaining a proper source for information is vital for any police station, he added.
“Three computers will be provided to each police station for efficient FIR registration, besides allotting generator sets to the police stations which do not have it currently,” he said.
The Home Department is mulling constructing residential quarters for at least the OC and three Sub-Inspectors within the police station premise, Sarma said.
Fortnightly medical check-ups of all staff at the nearest hospital will also be ensured by the OC with the government to reimburse the cost if it has to be done at private hospitals for some reason, he added.
Underlining the crucial role of the local police stations, the chief minister said that if the police stations work efficiently, the entire police force will automatically perform well.
“Crime and police cannot co-exist. OCs can stop any and every illegal activity in their areas and they must have the moral authority to do it,” he added.
The OCs will be transferred out of the district every two years without any political interference, Sarma said.