GANGTOK : President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday called for a more citizen-friendly policing system and urged police forces to function as supportive institutions for society while addressing the ceremonial presentation of the President’s Police Colour to the Sikkim Police at Palzor Stadium in Gangtok.

Presenting the prestigious President’s Colour to the force, Murmu said the honour recognised the outstanding service and dedication of the Sikkim Police over the years. She congratulated former and serving officers and personnel associated with the force for the achievement.

“Today, I am extremely pleased to present the President’s Colour to the Sikkim Police for its outstanding service. This honour is a matter of pride for all members of the Sikkim Police,” the President said.

Murmu noted that the Sikkim Police, established in 1897 to secure the India-Tibet trade route, has continued to play a vital role in maintaining peace and security in the Himalayan state.

She said the police force had not only maintained law and order but had also extended support to people during natural disasters and other difficult situations. The President further highlighted that several personnel from the force had been awarded United Nations Peacekeeping Medals for their contributions to UN missions.

Addressing the issue of police reforms, Murmu said the Indian policing system had long remained influenced by colonial-era practices where the emphasis was more on control and governance than public service.

“Under this mindset, instead of helping the public, the focus was more on ruling over them. It is very important to completely free ourselves from this thinking in order to empower the citizens of the country,” she said.

The President stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in policing and said citizens should be able to register complaints and grievances without difficulty. She also urged police personnel to remain sensitive towards women, children and weaker sections of society, adding that the police should function as a friend and guide to citizens in order to strengthen public trust.

Murmu said the role of the police extended beyond apprehending criminals and also involved building a safe and aware society. Praising the Sikkim Police for maintaining a professional and people-friendly approach, she said the force had earned the respect and affection of the public through its conduct and service.

Highlighting the strategic importance of Sikkim, the President noted that the responsibilities of the state police were significant as the state shares an international border and receives a large number of tourists from India and abroad.

She said the Sikkim Police must work closely with national security agencies while also preparing to tackle emerging crimes such as cybercrime, online fraud, hacking and deepfake-related offences.

“To deal with these challenges, the police must strengthen their capabilities in the latest technology, cybersecurity and digital investigation,” she said. The President also underlined the need for coordination among police forces and investigative agencies across states, observing that cyber and digital crimes were not confined by geographical boundaries.

She further stressed the need to create greater public awareness to prevent such offences. Describing the President’s Colour as a matter of great honour, Murmu expressed confidence that the Sikkim Police would continue to serve with dedication and uphold the dignity associated with the recognition.

“I firmly believe that the Sikkim Police will continue to perform its duties with a spirit of service to the nation,” she added.

Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia on Thursday congratulated the people of Sikkim after the state was formally declared fully literate under the ULLAS (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society) initiative.

Describing the achievement as a “historic moment”, Scindia said “Saakshar Sikkim is now a reality” and termed the milestone a major step forward in the state’s educational progress.

In a post on X, the Union minister said education forms “the foundation of an empowered and developed region” and added that the development reflected Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a “Viksit North East”.

“Many congratulations to the people of Sikkim,” he wrote. Scindia also reiterated the Centre’s commitment to the state’s development and recalled his recent visit to Sikkim during the 51st Statehood Day celebrations earlier this month.

“The Prime Minister’s resolve is Sikkim’s progress, Sikkim’s development,” he had said during the visit. The minister further highlighted a Rs 360-crore mission supported by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) aimed at strengthening Sikkim’s organic economy.

According to Scindia, the initiative seeks to transform the state from a “certified organic producer to a globally integrated premium organic economy” through improved infrastructure, branding, traceability and export-market integration.

He said the mission would help boost farmers’ incomes, strengthen farmer producer organisations (FPOs), expand cold-chain and logistics infrastructure, and positively impact more than 66,000 farming families across the state.