GUWAHATI | Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday called for a stronger, modern and people-centric policing system, with greater focus on crime prevention, faster investigations and timely convictions.

Sarma reviewed the state’s law and order situation at a meeting with Director General of Police Harmeet Singh and senior officials from the Police and Home departments. The meeting examined policing, public safety and several administrative and operational issues.

Key issues discussed included child marriage, polygamy, crime prevention, reforms involving Home Guards and Village Defence Parties, Dial 112 emergency services, police battalion projects, police housing and the rationalisation of police station jurisdictions.

The Chief Minister stressed the need to strengthen the investigation process and ensure that criminal cases reach their logical conclusion through timely prosecution and conviction of offenders.

The emphasis on improving investigations comes amid concerns over Assam’s relatively low chargesheeting rate. The state government told the Assembly on July 6 that police had filed chargesheets in only 54 per cent of nearly 10 lakh cases registered across Assam since the BJP came to power in 2016.

The latest review therefore places greater emphasis on improving investigative efficiency and strengthening the overall criminal justice process. In a separate development, Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota met Major General Inderjit Singh Bhinder, Inspector General of Assam Rifles (East), on Monday.

The meeting focused on improving coordination between civil authorities and security forces, particularly in the areas of security, border management and development. Kota also acknowledged the Assam Rifles’ role in maintaining peace and security and its continued engagement with communities across the Northeast.

The two meetings underline the state government’s focus on strengthening both civilian policing and coordination with security forces as part of its wider law-and-order and public safety strategy.