GUWAHATI, Oct 4 - The State government today said that number of crimes in Assam have come down substantially in the past two years and added that it is committed to reform and modernize the police force.
Replying to the debate on the cut motion on Supplementary Demands for Grants for the police department, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said that personnel of the Assam Police have shown bravery and dedication in the fight against militancy as well as other crimes.
He said that allegations by some Opposition legislators regarding intelligence failure of the police are wrong and added that timely intelligence received by the force has helped in preventing many untoward incidents.
Patowary said that the present government has taken steps to modernize the police force and termed Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal as the best Chief Minister Assam ever had.
�The Chief Minister deserves appreciation. Under his leadership, the police have found inspiration,� said Patowary.
He said that whenever any police personnel have been found to be involved in any misdeeds action has been taken against them.
He said that incidences of murder, dacoity, human tracking, rape and molestation, among others, have come down in last couple of years.
He said registration of cases has gone up and all efforts are being made to bring the public and the police closer.
The Minister said that senior police officers, including the DGP, have been asked not to remain confined to Guwahati and instead visit districts and remote and far-flung places across Assam. The DGP, along with the Chief Secretary, have visited districts and interacted with the public, the Minister added.
Patowary said that following the recent Supreme Court's judgment on mob violence and mob lynching, the State government has appointed District Nodal officers and formed District Task Forces to prevent such incidents. In addition, publicity and awareness campaigns are also being conducted to sensitize the public on the issue.
He said that a modern police academy will come up at Dergaon, which will be on par with the best across the globe.
Patowary said that under the Sonowal dispensation steps have been taken to deal firmly with regard to cases involving crimes against women.
He added that police is now focusing more and more on cyber crimes and this has resulted in increase in detection of such crimes and registration of cases.
Earlier, initiating the debate, Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia expressed concern about the low conviction rates in cases of crime and also called for steps to be taken to modernize the State police forces.
Congress legislator Rakibul Hussain refuted claims of ruling party members that only the present BJP-led government has improved the law and order situation. He said that the previous Congress regime played a major role in turning around the fortunes of the State during its time in office between 2001 and 2016.
He said that a number of incidents of mob lynching, moral policing as well as attacks and killings of public and police personnel have taken place during the past two years of the BJP government.
