Law and order situation in Arunachal deteriorating: Khandu

Chief Minister Pema Khandu today virtually conceded in the Assembly that law and order in Arunachal Pradesh was deteriorating and said it would have an adverse impact on the state in the long run.
During short duration discussion on the subject, the Chief Minister told the Assembly, "Law and order is not related to police department alone ... All sections of the society are equal stakeholders."
Unemployment is the major cause behind in the rise in crime in the state, Khandu said, adding that the government has adopted various measures for creating self-employment avenues for youth through skill development.
The lawmakers expressed grave concern over the situation and urged the government to take immediate corrective measures.

Accordingly, the government had discussed the issue with National Investment Council recently, he added.
"Growing numbers of educated youth have no jobs. For this a policy will be evolved soon to generate employment in various potential sectors to address the problems of the youth," Khandu, who is also the home minister, said.

Responding to various suggestions by the legislators, Khandu assured them of convening a special meeting soon involving community based organisations (CBOs) and legislators to discuss the issue.
He accepted lacunae in police department and said recruitments for 1170 sanctioned posts for it under various categories could not be made so far.

"The morale of police is down due to lack of promotion," he said and cited time-bound promotion in Delhi Police for uniform recruitment rule which is different for civil police and IRBn in the state.
Khandu said though police modernisation process was on, lack of resources were hindering the process and urged the civil society to stand united to contain crimes.
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The law and order issue was raised in the house by ruling Congress MLA Pani Taram during a short duration discussion. He referred to a memorandum submitted to Speaker Tenzing Norbu Thongdok by various CBOs pleading him to convene a special session of the assembly to discuss the situation.

The situation in the state is alarming with reports of rape, extortion, murder increasing with every passing day, he said adding that until police department has adequate manpower and sophisticated arms, the crime rate would continue to rise.
"Efforts should be made to bring the public close to police and people should be made aware on the dos and don'ts of unlawful activities to bring crime under control," Taram suggested, adding that police officers who were not performing should be given voluntary retirement.
Interference of politicians in police, magistrate and judicial actions should be totally stopped, he said and urged the chief minister to draw up an effective policy to curb it.