Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a review meeting on Tuesday with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, discussing the implementation of three new criminal laws in the state. The meeting focused on identifying and addressing gaps in technology and other areas necessary for their effective enforcement in all police stations.
During the session, the Home Minister assessed the status of various provisions related to police, jails, courts, prosecution, and forensic services in Uttarakhand. He emphasized the need for more forensic mobile vans, with a recommendation to have at least one additional van available in every district.
Amit Shah proposed that the Chief Minister conduct bi-weekly reviews on the progress of implementation, while the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) should hold weekly meetings with officials from the concerned departments.
Senior officials, including the Union Home Secretary, Uttarakhand’s Chief Secretary, DGP, and heads from the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) and the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), along with representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the state government, participated in the meeting.
The Home Minister urged the state government to prioritize swift implementation of the new laws in all police stations and jails, especially in areas where higher numbers of First Information Reports (FIRs) are registered. He recommended categorizing forensic team visits into three groups based on case severity to optimize resource utilization.
Shah also suggested formulating protocols for video conferencing and ensuring that cameras used for this purpose meet quality standards. He called for continuous monitoring of Zero FIRs, tracking how many cases have been resolved and how many have been transferred to other states.
The DGP was instructed to ensure that all Superintendents of Police adhere to prescribed timelines for case investigations. Shah stated that prompt implementation of the new laws would benefit victims and improve access to justice across the state.
(IANS)
