CM's inaugural speech at the 42nd All India Police Science Congress

Hon’ble Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Shri K.T. Gyaltsen, Chief Secretary Shri Karma Gyatso, Respected Shri Vikram Srivastava, DG, Bureau of Police Research and Development Government of India, Shri M.L. Sharma, Member, Central Information Commission, Shri R. Srikumar, Member Central  Vigilance Commission, Shri Jasbir Singh, DGP Sikkim, Shri J.S. Pandey, DGP, Uttaranchal, distinguished participants, esteemed members of Police Fraternity representing states and UTs from across the States, guests and friends from media

At the outset, I wish to accord a very warm welcome to you all to Sikkim to the 42nd edition of the All India Police Science Congress. I also wish to thank the Director General, BPRD, for organizing this Congress at Gangtok which in my opinion becomes an occasion to know each of us who have come from long distances and from other states as very few people in the country know of our sincere efforts, contribution and hard work in integrating Sikkim into the mainstream of the Nation. Nestled as we are in the North Eastern part of the Country near the border facing so many countries, we are proud to state that we have very ably fulfilled our obligation and responsibilities as is necessary in a border and sensitive state.

Therefore, given the situation, nothing could be more opportune than holding of 42nd edition of the All India Police Science Congress here in Sikkim to review risk factor and security scenario from the deep sea in the Southern peninsula to the High Mountains in the North.

Until the last decade National security was largely seen from the point of view of threats from external forces and the internal disturbance caused by terrorism, insurgency etc. However, in recent times national security is also seen in the context of declining law and order and crime situations that lead to economic instability in a country. Strategically our key challenge lies in the area of people, technology, actionable intelligence and finance.

On the operational front, trans-national crimes such as human trafficking, drugs and arms and import of counterfeit currency make it imperative to have cross border collaborative actions with partner agencies both within and outside the country. The crime scene is becoming increasingly complex with advanced sophistication in technology and communications revolution. While technology is intensifying human interaction and trade but also providing criminals with fresh sets of tools and unchartered areas of operation to indulge in illegal activities.

If, on one hand, there have been changes in the concept of national security, on the other hand, the past decade has also seen significant changes in the way Indian police has approached the issue of national security. There is a growing realization that for effective policing, we need increasing level of healthy mix between State police forces, modernization and technological up-gradation of police and over all police reforms in meeting the national security challenges. In the coming years we need to create a strong hold of specialist skills and expertise for our police force and I hope that the ongoing police reforms would expedite specialization in police.

In Sikkim, we are conscious of the rise in incidence of substance abuse which has become a major social phenomenon not only in the North East but in other parts of the country as well. This has to be halted by generating greater awareness among people not forgetting the detection and remedial measures and support programs that may be necessary to the victims and the victims’ family.  In my opinion, the society and the police machinery should be responsible and remain ever vigilant to protect vulnerable groups of people including the teenagers as part of community policing.

I would like to touch a little on community policing. It is not a new concept and I am sure most of you have made contributions towards police community partnership. The face of policing around the world is constantly changing and we need to meet the expectations of the community. I take pride to state that Sikkim has seen the lowest crime rates and the Sikkim Police has maintained excellent police-public partnership. In fact, we have framed new law which prohibits selling of liquors to under-age group in restaurants and hotel and which provides for severe punishment with jail up to ten years to the defaulters. If necessary, we may consider bringing in more stringent legislation to provide more teeth to the law enforcers to curve this evil.

However, policing for future would require not only Sikkim Police, but all of us to deal with economic disparities, bio ethics, privacy issues, culture threats, human cloning, concepts like cyber crime and frauds and the disruption of peace in civic life based on these threats.
One of the worrying trends in Sikkim has been mushrooming of Fake financial companies to cheat our innocent people into financial scams and illegal trading. Bogus financial firms like TINA, Bharosha, Gemini Traders and Stock Guru India have fooled our people leading to gross monetary losses to our people. Similar reference may be made of few people involved in scam of printing of fake currency note few years back.

We also cannot forget how one ULFA leader was trying to make Sikkim a safe haven for his underground operation in the past. At this point, I would like to congratulate our police force for swiftly taking effective actions against many of the fake financial companies duly freezing their bank accounts of crores of rupees and stopping operation. I also appreciate how our police force fished out the ULFA leader from his temporary hideout in Gangtok and for their ability to quickly and successfully bust fake currency scam in Sikkim.

In recognizing these changing paradigms, I believe the 42nd All India Police Science Congress have introduced a series of themes to address some of the emerging challenges for police in India. These themes, I hope, would address the intellectual as well as the operational challenges that are present before us. I am glad that apart from the members from police fraternity, we have the academia and community organizations, who need to work in partnership with the police, understand their view of the world and the challenges they foresee for a more holistic picture on national security. I encourage all the delegates to find endless possibilities to identify and understand board based security scenarios so that we remain forever prepared for the unexpected and for any eventuality.
We are a democratic Nation and prosperity of our people squarely depends on the coordinated functioning of all the three organs of government including the healthy growth of Fourth Estate. The Press Fraternity has the crucial responsibility to establish that larger connect with the common people vis-à-vis all the policies and programs of the governments under the federal set up. I would say that all the four pillars of Democracy, all existing democratic institutions, fundamental rights and related infrastructures must exist for the good of the people. They are the protective shields for security, integrity, sovereignty and all round development of our people. People must use them for a just cause and collective interest. These are not to be used to serve the narrow interest of few people bent upon destroying the strong democratic fabric of our Country.

However, in majority of cases, many people tend to misuse these rights and privileges bringing bad name to democratic institutions and discredit existing laws. Over time, there has appeared certain deviation of values among certain media houses leading to what you call it Yellow Journalism. Some people practice journalism as white lies that present little or no legitimate well-researched news and instead uses eye-catching headlines to sell more newspapers. Ethics of journalism should be fully implemented as the Press fraternity is equally responsible and answerable to the people and for the smooth functioning of a democratic State and the Country.

Apart from some print media, people opposed to peace and wellbeing of the Sikkimese people are also committing cyber crime by posting fabricated news items to damage the good image of the State and out on misinformation campaign to create negative influence on our society. In the name of democracy, they are acting in a most irresponsible manner with the malafide intention to disturb the peaceful atmosphere in the State. This I find is the blatant case of misuse of modern communication system at the hands of bigots and reactionary forces. I would call for strict implementation of cyber laws.

Another burning case of misuse of democratic instrument is in the implementation of Right to Information Act. In 99 percent cases, this Act is misused by vested interest group to extract information, not for any genuine cause but as the blackmail tactics to dictate their own terms and condition.  To sum up, there are negative forces trying to take undue advantage of all the democratic institutions.

All of us, all the countrymen must stand up to that challenge and prepare for the long struggle to see that all our democratic institutions and democratic instruments are harnessed for the collective good of people, State and the Nation. All of you present today represent the positive force to enforce law of the land. You will have to handle all those elements with positive mindset to overcome hypocrisy and all those elements detrimental to growth and progress of the State and the Country.

The Police fraternity, as you move ahead in the service of the Nation, may you also strengthen community bonding to collectively establish just and equitable society where everyone is treated equally before the law and all get a fair chance to live a decent and respectable life. While you deliberate on the wide-ranging issue of national security, I am happy to recall many of the underground forces joining the mainstream, finding due merit in democratic discourse and returning back to the negotiating table.

And amidst all the security concerns, I daresay, Sikkim is wholly qualified to offer a lesson at peace keeping and harmonious living and where we measure life not on the per capita scale but on the per capita happiness. And we know, everyone of us has a role to play and everyone of us has a stake in it, to promote a sense of national security, peace and well being.

Before I conclude, I would like to acknowledge the efforts put in by the Sikkim Police to host this event and the BPRD in organising this Congress in Sikkim. Over the next three days you will not only have the opportunity of engaging in a high level dialogue concerning the key influence on crime and law enforcement in the future, but will also have an invaluable opportunity to network with your colleagues and friends from all over the Country.

I am confident that you all have a pleasant stay in Sikkim and wish the 42nd All India Police Science Congress a grant success.

Thank you
 Jai Hind.