Shillong: The Meghalaya Police Bill 2010 was
passed by the state Legislative Assembly on Friday repealing the
British era Police Act of 1861.
"The Police Act 1861 in its application to the state of
Meghalaya and the Meghalaya Village Defense Organisation Act
1966 are hereby repealed," the new Act states.
"The government has decided to enact a new law to
regulate the role, functions and management of police
establishments to provide an impartial and efficient police
force safeguarding interests of the people with due regard to
the rule of law," Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh said.
The new Act would secure professional independence for
police and enable government to oversee police performance
without scope of illegal, irregular or malafide interference
with police functions.
It would ensure security of tenure of select office and
constitution of a statutory Commission to advice on certain
matters.
The State Security Commission, chaired by chief minister,
would function as a watchdog body and its recommendations
would be binding on the state government.
It would restructure various organs of police setup to
improve quality of criminal justice system. The term of
officers from DGP to Officers-in-Charge has been fixed at two
years.
The Police Establishment Board, headed by the DGP, has
been given exclusive powers to decide all transfers, postings
and promotions and other service related matters of officers
of and below the rank of DSPs.
The Act envisaged creating of an Anti-Infiltration
Directorate for dealing with the problem of illegal influx
from across international border.
The government would establish a Police Training academy,
college or school for ensuring efficient training to recruits.
A Police Accountability Commission would also be constituted.
The House passed the Bill through voice vote.
PTI
