Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Saturday set a target of raising the state’s conviction rate in criminal cases to at least 75 per cent and directed the police to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards organised crime, drug trafficking and extortion.
Addressing the state-level DGP and IGP conference in Bhubaneswar, Majhi, who also holds the Home portfolio, reviewed the state’s law and order, internal and coastal security, cybercrime and future policing requirements.
He issued a 10-point guideline to the police, focusing on increasing the conviction rate, making Odisha drug-free, strengthening coastal and maritime security, tackling cybercrime and the dark web, improving intelligence gathering, modernising police stations and ensuring corruption-free policing, a statement said.
The CM also stressed the need for police personnel to be polite, sensitive and trustworthy while dealing with the public, particularly those approaching police stations with complaints.
Treat the distressed persons with empathy, he told the senior officers, including SPs who joined the conference through video conferencing.
Majhi said the state’s conviction rate, which was earlier low, had improved to more than 40 per cent, according to NCRB data, but needed to be raised to at least 75 per cent.
He directed the police to make investigations more professional and technology-driven, particularly in cases involving violence against women and organised crime.
Asserting that his government was committed to making Odisha completely drug-free by 2029, Majhi said the police should target the entire supply chain and financial networks behind drug trafficking instead of focusing only on seizures and arrests.
Destroy the main supply chain and financial syndicate of drugs and illegal trafficking, he said, expressing hope that crime would decline significantly once drug trafficking was brought under control.
With the festive season approaching, Majhi also directed the police to take strict action against Dada Batti and forced donation collection.
The CM reviewed measures to secure Odisha’s 575-km coastline and prevent infiltration through the maritime border.
He took note of the Command and Control Centre in Bhubaneswar, procurement of 10 drones, five trawlers and 10 modern interceptor boats, as well as the strengthening of beach patrolling through All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs).
Majhi also asked the police to closely monitor emerging technologies and the dark web to prevent cybercrime and financial fraud.
He said the government had provided a special investigation fund of Rs 50 crore along with necessary equipment to strengthen the fight against cybercrime and improve intelligence capabilities.
He said Odisha had been recognised by the Union Home Ministry for bringing Maoist violence under control in the state.
He also said 17,794 new posts had been created in the police department over the past two years, of which 5,817 had already been filled.
Majhi said a safe environment was essential for industrial development and the security of people.