SHILLONG, June 18: Meghalaya officially signalled the end of colonial-era policing on Thursday, as Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong called for a shift from “fear-based” compliance to a community-led justice system under the country’s new criminal laws.
Speaking at the launch of the Naveen Nyaya Sanhita exhibition, Tynsong emphasised that the success of the legal reforms depends on active participation from the Dorbar Shnong and traditional heads. He noted that for over 150 years, citizens often followed laws out of fear rather than understanding, viewing the police as an authority to be avoided.
The new framework, which Meghalaya began implementing on July 2, 2024, is built on the “T3” principles: Timeline, Technology, and Trust. To ensure cases do not stall or files disappear, the government introduced the MedLEaPR Standard Operating Procedure and an Investigation Monitoring Module. These digital tools track medical reports and case progress electronically, ensuring accountability from the moment a report is filed.
To strengthen scientific evidence collection, 12 mobile forensic vans have been deployed across all districts. Under the new laws, forensic investigation is now mandatory for any offence carrying a punishment of seven years or more. Tynsong also highlighted the creation of the Directorate of Prosecution, tasked with speeding up the filing of charge sheets and resolving long-pending cases.
Director General of Police Idashisha Nongrang stated that modernising investigative procedures was essential as the nature of crime has evolved. Chief Secretary Shakeel P. Ahammed added that the reforms introduce time-bound investigations and stricter penalties for crimes against women and children, while incorporating rehabilitation for minor offences.
