ITANAGAR, Feb 7 - Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu today said that the pace of development would accelerate only when antisocial elements are kept at bay and peace prevails in the State.
�When you are safe and there is peace everywhere, you can focus on development projects,� stated the Chief Minister while speaking at the opening ceremony of the three-day annual conference of Superintendents of Police (SPs) and Commandants of AAPBn and IRBn at the Police Headquarters here.
Khandu said a strong, efficient and responsible police force is essential so that the government machinery can produce optimum results, adding that his Government has laid stress on strengthening it.
The Chief Minister pledged sound budgetary support to strengthen the State police force. He said Arunachal Pradesh with its distinct ethnic tribes, law-and-order issues, problems and challenges would be different from district to district and community to community. He suggested the SPs to evolve innovative tactics specific to a district or community to deal with law-and-order challenges.
�You must remember that policing in Arunachal Pradesh is completely different from the metros. Here the sentiments, ethos and sensitivities of the people are different, that call for inclusive and innovative tactics. I advise you all to take community leaders into confidence in all matters related to law and order,� the Chief Minister said.
Khandu hoped that the conference would witness fruitful discussions on new ways of policing, technology interventions and district- and community-centric innovations, bridging the gap between the public and the men in uniform.
State Home Minister Bamang Felix, in his speech, said, �The commitment of the Khandu Government to strengthen our police force is proved by the enhanced budgetary support of Rs 150 crore from the earlier Rs 50 crore.�
Drawing the attention of the police officers towards the need for strengthening the Intelligence gathering system, he said the Special Bureau of the State police needs to be overhauled.
Both the Chief Minister and Home Minister admitted the need to focus on the twin cities of the State capital � where 90 per cent of the State�s law and order issues occur � and said the Government is in the process to evolve a robust mechanism for policing.
