Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said there was an urgent need to transform public perception of the police, particularly among the youth, by enhancing professionalism, sensitivity, and responsiveness.
He was speaking on the last day of a conference of the country’s top police officers. This year, the three-day conference of DGPs and IGPs was held in Chhattisgarh’s capital city, Raipur.
Modi also highlighted the need to strengthen urban policing and reinvigorate tourist police.
The PM asked the top officers to make effective use of databases integrated with the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID), a centralised intelligence database, and link these systems through artificial intelligence to generate actionable intelligence.
He called for encouraging universities and academic institutions to undertake case studies on the use of forensics in police investigations, noting that enhanced forensic application would further strengthen the criminal justice system.
He reiterated the importance of establishing mechanisms for the regular monitoring of banned outfits, ensuring the holistic development of areas freed from Left-wing extremism, and adopting innovative models to strengthen coastal security. The Prime Minister emphasised that tackling drug abuse requires a “whole-of-government” approach, bringing together enforcement, rehabilitation, and community-level intervention.
The conference witnessed deliberations on a wide range of national security matters, such as emerging trends in counter-terrorism and counter-radicalisation, leveraging technology to enhance women’s safety, strategies to bring back Indian fugitives based abroad, and strengthening forensic capabilities to ensure effective investigation and prosecution.
Story continues below this ad
The Prime Minister underscored the need for stronger preparedness and coordination, urging police chiefs to reinforce mechanisms for effective disaster management covering cyclones, floods, and other natural emergencies, including the ongoing situation of Cyclone Ditwah.
He emphasised that proactive planning, real-time coordination, prompt response, and a “whole-of-government” approach are essential to safeguard lives and ensure minimal disruption during such events.
The conference was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Ministers of State for Home Affairs, and the Union Home Secretary. DGPs and IGPs, as well as heads of Central Armed Police Forces and Central Police Organisations took part.
Jayprakash S Naidu is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently serving as the state correspondent for Chhattisgarh. With an extensive career in frontline journalism, he reports on the political, security, and humanitarian landscape of Central India.
Expertise and Experience
Specialized Conflict Reporting: Jayprakash is a leading voice on the Maoist/Naxalite conflict in the Bastar region. His reporting provides a critical, ground-level view of:
Internal Security: Tracking high-stakes encounters, surrender programs for senior Maoist leaders, and the establishment of security camps in formerly inaccessible "heartland" villages.
Tribal Rights & Displacement: Investigative reporting on the identity and land struggles of thousands of displaced tribals fleeing conflict zones for neighboring states.
Governance & Bureaucratic Analysis: He consistently monitors the evolution of Chhattisgarh as it marks 25 years of statehood, covering:
Electoral Politics: Analyzing the shift in power between the BJP and Congress and the impact of regional tribal movements.
Public Policy: Reporting on landmark infrastructure projects (e.g., mobile connectivity in remote zones) and judicial interventions, such as High Court rulings on civil and family law.
Diverse Investigative Background: Prior to his current focus on Chhattisgarh, Jayprakash held reported from Maharashtra, where he specialized in:
Crisis & Disaster Management: Notable for his extensive coverage of the Cyclone Tauktae barge tragedy (P-305) and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on frontline personnel.
Legal & Human Rights: Investigative pieces for platforms like Article-14, focusing on police accountability and custodial deaths across India.
Environmental & Social Justice: Authoritative reporting on the Hasdeo Aranya forest protests and the approval of major tiger reserves, highlighting the tension between industrial mining and environmental preservation. ... Read More
