Bhopal: Taking the Centre’s detractors head on, Union Home Affairs and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah emphasised on Friday that – over a period of eight years – the Narendra Modi dispensation firmly dealt with three ‘sores; namely the Kashmir issue, Left-wing extremism and the narcotics scourge in the North-East.
During a day’s visit to the Madhya Pradesh capital, the erstwhile BJP president addressed a Forest Committees’ convention, inaugurated the 48th All India Police Science Congress, staged a road show and had an apparent ‘council of war’ at the party’s state office in the context of next year’s Assembly election.
“The Modi government has resolved to universally provide basic facilities such as dwellings, toilets and electricity. A project (the Jal Jeevan Mission) is underway for supplying water to every abode. This is nothing short of a historic day in the context of tribal well-being as 827 of Madhya Pradesh’s 925 forest villages have been converted into revenue ones,” Mr Shah averred at the immense Jamboree Ground while addressing the convention.
Earlier, at the Kanhasaiya-based Central Academy for Police Training, the Minister stressed on modernisation of the law-enforcement apparatus and minced no words while saying that it is no longer the era of the lathi-wielding British Raj police and – in view of fresh challenges posed by crime – knowledge-based policing is the need of the hour.
“During the pandemic, the entire country witnessed the police’s humane countenance. Earlier, their work never earned plaudits but that has transformed into universal appreciation,” he said while
paying tributes to 2,712 personnel who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty while combatting circumstances spawned by the contagion.
“These officers and men became infected while conveying food to patients, rushing victims to hospitals or while performing funerals,” Mr Shah underlined.
He stressed on linking the force with modern technique and the requirement for making it part of training.
“Narcotics, counterfeiting, hawala and cyber crime cannot be solved without such technique. Measures such as beat patrolling generate satisfaction among the populace. However, the police machinery ought to rejuvenate the informers’ system, dog squad, etc. Process and perfection are imperative for success but ultimately passion is the essential ingredient,” he added.
Earlier, a special plane conveyed him here at about 1030 hrs.
A lunch banquet was hosted at Mr Chouhan’s residence.
During the convention, Mr Shah distributed Rs 67 crore as bonus to tendu leaf collectors in addition to Rs 55 cr as wood and bamboo dividends by symbolically disbursing amounts to some beneficiaries.
He departed for Delhi after 1900 hrs.
