‘Bank on conviction to prevent crimes’

From A Correspondent
Shillong, July 17: Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul M Sangma said deterrence to any act of crime by the perpetrators is to a great extent influenced by the overall conviction rate, which is the culmition of an effective charge-sheeting and prosecution of crime. He said this while attending the Investiture Ceremony at the Police Headquarters here on Monday.
The Chief Minister also released a – “Book of Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL)” by J Rymmai, IPS, in-charge Director, FSL, Shillong – on the occasion.     
Congratulating the medal winners for demonstrating selfless service and commitment while attending to the call of duty, Sangma expressed his gratitude to the families of the policemen for their ceaseless and continuous support and sacrifice to the men and women in uniform. 
He said the FSL should be equipped with the best of facilities to live up to the expectations of responding to challenging circumstances, while helping the police to expeditiously charge-sheet, prosecute and convict as per the law. 
“There is a need to send a strong message of deterrence to potential perpetrators of crime about existence of law-enforcing agencies and people also need to be sensitized about various laws and the ramifications of violating the law. This in itself will create a society that is self regulating,” he said.  
He also said that the police and administration need to look beyond the conventiol methods of policing and enforcing and connect with the stakeholders about the existence of law and creating deterrence to crime.
The Chief Minister said that low rate of conviction emboldens the perpetrators of crime and added that the government is committed to complete the exercise of administrative reforms so that the administration of justice is done in the most effective manner. 
Stating the State police force have been competent enough in dealing with rising crime in the last few years, he also cautioned that there is no room for complacency and added that there is a need to ensure that agenda of sustained peace is achieved in the State.
Sangma urged the police to work as a collective team and also be prepared to the multi-faceted approach of the crimils. He also informed the gathering that the Transparent Recruitment Policy will eble to have the best people in the organization.  
Earlier, the Chief Minister distributed medals to 21 policemen for their gallantry and meritorious service in the course of their duty.