Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, chaired a review meeting in Guwahati on Sunday to assess the status of the implementation of three new criminal laws in the North-Eastern states.
During the meeting, Shah emphasized the Central Government’s commitment, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to provide a speedy and transparent justice system to the citizens. He highlighted that registering crimes without delay is crucial for strengthening law and order.
Shah stated that the North-Eastern states need to intensify their efforts towards the effective implementation of the new criminal laws. He assured that once these laws are fully enforced, there will be a significant transformation in the region’s law and order situation, with justice being delivered within three years of FIR registration in any case.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Ministers of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim, along with the Governor of Manipur. Union Home Secretary, Chief Secretaries, Director Generals of Police from the North-Eastern states, and senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) also participated.
During the meeting, the Home Minister unveiled a book titled ‘New Criminal Laws: Standard Operating Procedures and Rules’ prepared by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Assam. The review also covered the implementation status of key provisions related to police, prisons, courts, prosecution, and forensics in the region.
Shah underscored the importance of keeping political interference out of cases related to terrorism, mob lynching, and organized crime. He called for 100% training of police personnel in the North-East on the new criminal laws to ensure their successful implementation.
Shah urged the Chief Ministers of the North-Eastern states to hold monthly review meetings on the laws’ implementation. Additionally, he directed the Director Generals of Police and Chief Secretaries to conduct review meetings every 15 days to ensure progress.
The Home Minister emphasized the importance of ensuring justice at the grassroots level, stating that police stations should be places where people feel empowered to seek justice. He congratulated the Assam government for ensuring the filing of charge sheets within the stipulated time frame in 66% of cases and urged other states to adopt similar measures.
Shah stressed the importance of strengthening the role of the Director of Prosecution to ensure smoother access to justice for the people. He also highlighted the urgent need for implementing the e-Sakshya system, noting that the lack of scientific officers can delay filing satisfactory charge sheets from a forensic perspective.
Shah encouraged the use of the “Trial in Absentia” provision to bring fugitive criminals back to the country. He pointed out that the police in the North-East, having largely eradicated insurgency, should now shift their focus toward protecting the lives, property, and dignity of citizens.
The three new laws, Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively. These laws, introduced after extensive deliberations spanning 45 months, came into effect on July 1, 2024.
