Shillong, May 16: Union home minister Amit Shah has asked all North-Eastern states to ensure training of 100% police personnel on the three new criminal laws – BNS, BNSS, and BSA – which came into effect in July last year.
Chairing a review meeting on the status of implementation of the new criminal laws in the North East, in Guwahati on Sunday, the home minister requested the region’s chief ministers to hold a review meeting every month on the implementation of the laws.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), replaced the erstwhile Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act, respectively, on 1 July 2024.
The home minister also directed the director generals of police (DGPs) and chief secretaries of the states, to conduct a review meeting every 15 days.
Emphasising that the administration must reach the grassroots level, and police stations should become places where people receive justice, Shah said, “This would only be possible with 100% implementation of three new laws.”
Noting that for a long time, the police in the North-East were primarily focused on fighting insurgency, he said, “However, with insurgency now nearly eradicated in the region, the police should shift their focus toward protecting people’s lives, property, and dignity.”
In his address, the union home minister said under the leadership of prime minister Narendra Modi, the Central Government is committed to providing the citizens with a speedy and transparent justice system.
He said that the Modi government introduced three new laws after an extensive and detailed deliberation process spanning nearly 45 months.
Meanwhile, he unveiled a book titled ‘New Criminal Laws: Standard Operating Procedures and Rules’ prepared by CID, Assam.
The meeting that reviewed implementation and present status of various new provisions related to police, prisons, courts, prosecution, and forensics in the North-Eastern states, was attended by chief ministers of all the region’s states and governor of Manipur, which is under President’s Rule.
Union home secretary, chief secretaries and DGPs of NE states, director general of the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), director of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), and other senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the state governments also attended the meeting.
He emphasized that to strengthen law and order, it is essential to register crimes without any delay.
Shah said the NE states need to put in more efforts towards the implementation of the new criminal laws.
Once these laws are fully enforced, there will be a significant transformation in the region’s law and order situation, ensuring that justice is delivered by the Supreme Court within three years of an FIR being registered in any case, he said.
He also said there should be no political interference in registering cases related to terrorism, mob lynching, and organized crime.
Meanwhile, Shah congratulated the Assam government for ensuring filing of charge sheet within the stipulated time frame of 60-90 days in 66% cases and urged other states to follow this approach.
He stressed the need for continuous monitoring of progress in this regard.
He also emphasized the urgent need for the implementation of e-Sakshya.
He stated that until there are sufficient scientific officers, it will not be possible to file fully satisfactory charge sheets from a forensic science perspective.
He further urged use of “Trial in Absentia” provision, which will help bring fugitive criminals back to the country.
Shah said that the stronger the Director of Prosecution is made, the easier it will be to ensure justice for the people.
