STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The State Police Accountability Commission (SPAC), Assam, has recommended the constitution of district police accountability authorities and a PRO (public relations officer) in each police station, with special emphasis on the weaker sections of the population.
The commission, headed by its chairman Justice (retd.) B.P. Katakey, has submitted its annual report (2021) to the State Government recently.
Such a commission benefits a victim or any other person affected by the illegal or unjustified actions of police within the meaning of ‘serious misconduct’ and ‘misconduct’ as prescribed in the Assam Police Act 2007. The Commission enhances the accountability of the police to society as a whole. After receiving complaints against police personnel, such commissions dispose of cases and recommend them to the government for action.
In its recent report to the State Government, the Commission said, “Constitution of the District Accountability Authority would provide grassroots-level access to the public for seeking required relief under Provision 84 of the Assam Police Act, 2007. Since its inception, the Commission has been suggesting to the government that it constitute a District Police Accountability Authority, which is highly essential to the public residing in outlying districts of the state in particular and the people of the entire state as a whole.
“The Commission, in view of this, recommends the constitution of a District Police Accountability Authority in each district. If the constitution of such authorities in each district is not feasible, the same may at least be constituted in each police range, except in Kokrajhar, Diphu, and Haflong, where such authorities may be constituted separately for the district. This will be highly beneficial to the public residing in the remotely situated areas of outlying districts.”
Since the State Police Accountability Commission has its office in Guwahati alone, victims from all over the state have to come to Guwahati to lodge complaints against police personnel.
The police accountability commission has also recommended the appointment of a PRO at each police station. “There should be a Public Relations Officer in the police station with special emphasis on proper dealing with the weaker sections of society, including senior citizens, women, special children, and specially-abled persons,” the commission recommended. It has also sought a separate and special facility for senior citizens, specially-abled persons, special children, and weaker sections of society in each police station,” the commission recommended.
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