Police Commissionate in city to handle law and order: CM

SHILLONG, July 21: Shillong’s fragile law and order is likely to witness a turn for the better with the state government deciding to have a city Commissionerate in line with bigger cities in the country.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday said most of the capital cities in the country have a Commissioner of Police while policing in Shillong is done at the level of a Superintendent of Police.
“The Commissionerate will have senior officials and a bigger team,” he said, adding that the elevation would ensure more structured force in maintaining law and order.
There will also be an increase in manpower and infrastructure, the CM said.
“The process will be completed soon,” Sangma said.
He said there are no specific rules for rationalisation of posting and transfer of police officers but the government is taking some steps such as issuing office memorandums requiring posting in certain parts of the state for a minimum of three years.
Admitting there would be challenges, he said the government is trying to systematise the transfer and posting as far as possible.
He also said the government is developing forensic labs with equipment for quick investigation.
The lack of a forensic directorate hindered and slowed investigation as the evidence has to be sent to labs outside the state, he added.
The CM expressed concern over the increasing rate of crime against women in the state and said the government is ensuring more women get recruited and chargesheets are issued at the earliest.