Assam CM asks police to file chargesheets in all pending rape murder cases in 6 months

Guwahati, Jul 5 (PTI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa
Sarma on Monday asked the police to complete the probe and
file chargesheets in all pending rape, murder, drugs,
extortion, and arms cases across the state within the next six
months.
He issued the instruction to the Officers In-Charge (OCs)
of all police stations across the state at the first-ever
face-to-face meeting between the OCs and the chief minister
here.
"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," said
Sarma, who also holds the Home portfolio.
If there is a delay in getting forensic test reports,
samples can be sent to forensic laboratories outside the state
also, he said, adding that agreements can be signed with 4-5
top such laboratories in the country for the purpose.
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.
The state reported a total of 1,21,609 cognisable crimes
in 2020, according to information available on the Assam
Police website.
Sarma pointed out that piles of cases under IPC section
144, pertaining mostly to dharnas and demonstrations, are
gathering dust at the police stations.
"When non-heinous crimes, like dharna, are involved,
there is no good in just keeping the case open. Similarly,
with family cases, police keep the case open long after the
matter has been sorted between the family members," he added.
Talking about cattle smuggling cases, the chief minister
asserted that such crimes should be dealt with very strictly.
"No one should even look towards a cow with criminal
intent. A cow is like God for us, providing us with milk,
dung, helping us in farming, etc. Our fathers were dependent
on cows for survival and we have gone down to such a level
that we are into cattle smuggling now.
"There should be no case relating to cows at all. No
cattle should be smuggled into the state and anyone found
involved, must be brought to book," he said, asking the OCs of
Srirampur, Gossaigaon, Dhubri, and Sagolia, which are along
the border with West Bengal and Bangladesh, specifically to
remain vigilant.
Likewise, if anyone indulges in cattle theft within the
state, stringent measures as per the law will be adopted, he
added.
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
Later talking to reporters after the conference, the
chief minister complimented the police force for being able to
crack many cases in the recent days.
"Cattle smuggling has been almost neutralised, a massive
operation against drugs is going on and trafficking of women
has come down drastically," he added.
Without giving the detail, Sarma said that more resources
will be at the disposal of the police force after the Budget
session this month, enabling them to perform even better. PTI
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(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)