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Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday said the State Government would provide all possible assistance for the modernization of the Police department, adding that to ensure better public service, police stations would be categorized based on the population, geographical factors and rural and urban divisions, and appropriate staff strength would be provided for improved efficiency.

Presiding over the Police Department review meeting, he said that registered police posts would be authorized to register FIRs by integrating Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and System (CCTNS) in these police posts.

Sukhu said that the State Government would also address the issue of staff shortage by filling up the vacant posts, adding that the process of recruitment of 1226 police constables and 30 Sub Inspectors was underway. He said that police reforms were essential for enhancing public services and the State Government was also ensuring stringent laws against criminals. He said that Anti-Drug Act would be formulated to combat the drug peddlers in an effective and efficient manner.

He said that a data warehouse and clearing agency would also be set up in police department to store and organize data from multiple agencies for analysis and decision making. He stressed the need for adopting cutting edge technology to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency.

The CM said that the State government was also strengthening the Home Guard, SDRF and Fire Department for their effective functioning. As many as 700 posts of Home Guards were also being filled up and directed to analyse the additional strength required in the department. He said that the State Government would provide adequate funding for digitization of 86 designated response centres. Home Guards would be deployed in various Boards and Corporations to maintain law and order. A Home Guards Battalion Training Centre would be constructed at Markand in Bilaspur district to improve training facilities.

Sukhu  said that the State Government was committed to strengthen State Disaster Response Force and the competent authority would be empowered to hire requisite vehicles for the relief and rehabilitation operations during any disaster or emergency. He said that temporary deployment of Home Guards would be done in SDRF until permanent staff is recruited in this Force. He also assured that fire services would be modernized and Rs.19.40 crore would be released as the first installment for this purpose.

He expressed deep concern over rising cases of cyber crime in the State and said that 11892 complaints were reported in the year 2024 involving a total amount of Rs. 114.94 crore cyber frauds. He said that Cyber Cell successfully blocked Rs. 11.59 crore, amounting to 10.08 percent of the total frauds and directed to raise awareness about the cyber crimes and take stern action against the offenders. He said that the State Government remains steadfast in its resolve to strengthen law enforcement and emergency services while addressing emerging challenges such as cyber crimes and disaster management.

Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Additional Chief Secretary Home Onkar Chand Sharma, Secretary to Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Director General of Police Atul Verma, Director General CID S.R. Ojha, ADGP Satwant Atwal and other senior officers of the Police Department attended the meeting.

Himachal witnesses significant reduction in road accidents and fatalities in 2024

Compared to the year 2023, road accidents in Himachal Pradesh have decreased by 6.48 percent. A total of 2107 accidents were reported in the year 2024 as against 2253 in the year 2023, data issued on Tuesday revealed. Fatalities also saw a notable decline, with 806 lives lost in the year 2024 compared to 892 in the year 2023. Additionally, the number of injuries also dropped from 3449 in the year 2023 to 3290 in the year 2024.

In a statement, Chief Minister Sukhu said, "The decline in road accidents and fatalities is a testament to the collective efforts of the Government, the law enforcement agencies and awakened citizens. Over the past two years, the State Government has undertaken several initiatives to save valuable lives." The present State Government has launched targeted awareness campaigns to promote responsible driving behaviour, improved the road infrastructure and implemented safety measures in accident-prone areas. It has also strengthened the enforcement of traffic regulations and has enhanced the emergency response system to ensure timely medical assistance to accident victims.