Guwahati: As a part of the sequel undertaken to bring about police modernization in Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday attended the first ever conference of the commandants at Police Training Centre in upper Assam’s Dergaon.
The conference has been organised to help the Assam Police Battalions to transform them into vibrant bodies capable of meeting the mandate they are raised.
Delivering his introductory speech, Sarma said that considering the important role played by the commandants and the Assam Police Battalions, the Commandants’ Conference will be organised every six month. This will be done to bring about positive changes in the rank and file of the battalions and give a more result oriented police force to the state.
The Chief Minister also said that since Assam Police Battalions are the backbones of the policing system, he would visit the battalions during his district tours.
Sarma also observed that training plays an important role and therefore in shaping the professionalism and readiness of the polic personnel, retired army officers will be appointed in the rank of Additional Superintendent of Police to impart training.
The officer would be in charge of rigorous training regimen to help the police personnel to meet the changing dynamics of commission of crimes. He also said that attention will be given to ensure that the personnel belonging to different battalions are not used for any purpose other than those exclusively connected to bonafide policing.
The Chief Minister said that steps will be taken to ensure that there is positive change in the mindset of the forces of the battalions to make them feel that Commandants and forces belonging to different battalions are integral part of the Police Forces in Assam. Adequate steps will be taken to empower the Assam Police Battalions so that they themselves are complete to deal with law and order in the state.
They will also be reoriented to control the mob without using lethal weapons or using them to the minimum extent possible.
With the continuous improvement of situation in the state, AFSPA will likely to be lifted from the entire state by the end of this year. In such situation, Assam Police Battalions would be empowered to replace Central Armed Police Forces other than the number of CPAFs whose presence is mandatory in the state as per law.
Henceforth, steps will be taken for posting very good and professional police officers as Commandants, Sarma added.