Till March 2018, the State Police Accountability Commission (SPAC), Assam has registered a total of 49 complaints against police misconduct most of which are for non-registering of FIRs by police and improper investigation.
SPAC, Assam Chairman Justice (Retd) Brajendra Prasad Kotoky said this while speaking at an awareness-cum-interactive session for police and public on police accountability held in Golaghat on Saturday.
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The first of its kind regional level awareness-cum-interactive session, organized by SPAC, Assam in association with Assam Police and Golaghat district police, was held at the District Library auditorium here.
Kokoty said, “We have registered 49 complaints against police personnel out of which the Commission has taken suo moto cognizance of nine complaints. Majority of the complaints relate to non-registering of FIRs by police and allegation of improper investigation. Most of the complaints are from North Salmara, Mankachar and Nagaon district.”
During the event, which was attended by senior police officials of Golaghat and Karbi Anglong districts, Kotoky spoke on the importance of organizing such meeting. He also highlighted why there is the need to make the common people aware about the various beneficial legislations under the Assam Police Act, 2007 which can be used to register complaints of misconduct by police officials.
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Kotoky also stressed on the important role of district and sub-divisional legal service authorities in this connection and asked them to extend a helping hand to the common man in registering any such complaints. He also sought cooperation of all NGOs, citizens’ committees, thana committees in creating awareness amongst the people and to change the general perception of the people towards the police personnel.
The maximum participation of citizens in filing complaints against serious misconduct by police can help in bringing administrative reforms in the Police department.
An interactive session with all invited guests, distinguished citizens and representatives of NGOs was also held as a part of the programme.
The opening address was delivered by Secretary, SPAC, Assam, Harendra Kumar Mahanta while DIG Devraj Upadhyay, DIG BR Rabha, district and sessions judge, Golaghat, Satyajit Khound, Deputy Commissioner of Karbi Anglong Adil Khan, president of Golaghat Bar Association, MN Dutta also spoke on the occasion.
Golaghat Deputy Commissioner Gaurav Bothra, Principal, Police Training Centre Dergaon, MI Mondal, Golaghat Superintendent of Police Manabendra Dev Ray, Karbi Anglong Superintendent of Police VSP Ganjala and Officers-in-Charge of all police stations of both Golaghat and Karbi Anglong districts were present at Saturday’s meeting.
The Commission, which started functioning from 2008, was constituted under the provisions of the Chapter VIII of the Assam Police Act, 2007, to inquire into public complaints of serious misconduct against policemen with a view to ensure accountability.
The Commission not only issues directions for taking action against the erring officers, it also monitors the action taken on its directions till its logical conclusion, with a view to fully ensure police accountability. People may also approach the Commission if they are dissatisfied with the outcome or inordinate delay in the process of departmental inquiry into the complaints of misconduct against any police officer by the Police department.