At the Sarguja Coordination Center, Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Vijay Sharma held a high-level meeting with the Superintendents of Police from the Sarguja range. The primary objective was to review the law and order situation and to provide guidance to enhance the efficiency and responsiveness of the police force. Sharma underscored that the key responsibilities of the police are to establish the rule of law and to deter criminal behavior. He emphasized the importance of increasing conviction rates in serious cases by implementing rigorous and consistent monitoring in all districts. He also instructed police superintendents to meet with the public regularly, communicate with their staff to understand their issues, and to make monthly visits to schools and colleges. Weekly parades were mandated to maintain discipline within police stations. Senior officials present included Manoj Pinguwa, the Additional Chief Secretary Home, IG PHQ Ajay Yadav, IG Sarguja Deepak Jha, and the Superintendents of Police from the districts within the Sarguja range. The meeting addressed urgent issues such as human trafficking, crimes against women and children, the illegal arms trade, and drug trafficking. Sharma stressed the need for comprehensive investigations under the NDPS Act, leading to strict punishments for offenders. Directives were given to tackle illegal liquor production and sales, and to investigate chit fund companies, with a focus on returning funds to investors. Discussions also involved measures to prevent road accidents, including the identification of dangerous locations and the improvement of traffic management, including increasing the presence of traffic police. Sharma highlighted that improving the traffic system is a joint effort of the police, administration, and the community. He stressed the significance of drug-free campus campaigns, educating students about substance abuse, and building trust between the public and the police through community policing. In addition, the meeting covered cybercrime prevention training, assessment of the beat system, and the use of the ‘Samadhan App.’ Sharma directed the police to connect with the public through village meetings and public dialogue. In his concluding remarks, Sharma affirmed that the police must act in a way that criminals fear the law and the public trusts the police for their safety. He reiterated that public respect for the police and fear among criminals are the ultimate indicators of a successful police force.
