SHILLONG: The State Security Commission formed as per the Meghalaya Police Act has almost become defunct as no monthly meeting was held since July this year.
As per the Act, “the Commission will meet at least once a month for the initial three years and every three months or more often later if required by the exigencies of situation.”
However, the Commission had in the past met only to shortlist the names of new DGPs of the State. The last meeting held in June had selected the name of DGP, PJP Hanaman.
Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma is the Chairperson of the Commission and the members include the Home Minister, Opposition Leader, officials of Home department and prominent citizens among others.
The State Security Commission is supposed to be a watchdog to ensure better policing. The powers and functions of the Security Commission also include “framing of broad policy guidelines for promoting efficient, effective, responsive, accountable, impartial, honest, professional and citizen-friendly policing, in accordance with the law.”
When contacted a member of Security Commission and senior Advocate VGK Kynta said that he is not aware whether any meeting was called by the Security Commission other than the last one held to shortlist the new DGP.
Other important functions of the Commission include implementation of measures to ensure that police are not subjected to any unwarranted pressure or influence and identify performance indicators to evaluate the functioning of the police service.
“The performance indicators will include operational efficiency, public satisfaction, victim satisfaction vis-à-vis police investigation and response, accountability, impartiality, honest policing, courteous behaviour, optimum utilisation of resources, and observance of human rights standards,” the Act says.
During the past meetings held by the Security Commission, nothing related to these aspects was discussed, an official source said.
Another task of the Commission is to evaluate organizational performance of the police service in the state as a whole as well as district-wise, performance indicators as identified and laid down, and resources available with the police and the constraints of the police.
The Commission will also function as a forum of appeal for disposing of representations from officers of the rank of Additional Superintendent of Police and above, regarding their promotion, or their being subjected to illegal or irregular orders. The State Security Commission is yet to become a powerful body since regular meetings were not held to discuss the varied powers and functions of the Commission, the official source added.