CM Pema Khandu Calls for Tech-Driven Policing and Stronger Internal Security in Arunachal Pradesh
Itanagar: Pema Khandu on Monday stressed the need for strong internal security, technology-driven policing and a conviction-oriented criminal justice system while addressing the inaugural session of the State-Level Conference of Superintendents of Police and Commandants at the DK Convention Centre.
The conference was attended by Home Minister Mama Natung, Advisor to Home Mutchu Mithi, Chief Secretary Manish Kumar Gupta, newly appointed Director General of Police S. D. Singh Jamwal, senior officers of the state police, representatives from Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and civil administration officials. The meeting was organized as a follow-up to the 60th All India Conference of Directors General of Police recently held in Raipur and chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Highlighting the importance of law and order in national progress, the Chief Minister said that development and security must move together. “Over the past eleven years, the Prime Minister has provided decisive leadership to the country, leading to progress across sectors. However, development cannot move forward without maintaining law and order,” he said, emphasizing the need to strengthen cyber capabilities and digital forensics as policing increasingly becomes technology-driven.
Khandu also called for the activation of official social media platforms of the police department to enhance transparency and public awareness. Suggesting the creation of a dedicated social media team under the DGP, he advised district Superintendents of Police to use official platforms responsibly. “People must know the good work being done by the police. Social media should be used strictly for official communication and not for personal purposes,” he said.
Addressing border management issues, the Chief Minister noted that Arunachal Pradesh, the largest state in the Northeast, shares international boundaries with Bhutan and Myanmar, along with a border with Tibet. He stressed the need for proper official references in correspondence and heightened vigilance along the Myanmar border, particularly in Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts, where extortion and drug trafficking linked to cross-border insurgent influence remain concerns.
“We do not have homegrown insurgency. Whatever challenges exist must be addressed by us with a sense of ownership. We cannot depend entirely on the Government of India for everything. This is our state and we must resolve our issues,” he said.
The Chief Minister praised the Arunachal Pradesh Police for foiling attempts to revive insurgency under the name of United Tani Army. He called for strengthening the Special Task Force, enhancing training and manpower, and improving coordination with central forces such as Assam Rifles.
Acknowledging the state’s rich tribal diversity, Khandu urged officers to understand the social sensitivities of different regions. “Inclusive governance requires structured dialogue with stakeholders. Arunachal’s diversity is its strength, but local sensitivities must be understood,” he said.
On illegal immigration, the Chief Minister announced that the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 is being technologically upgraded and will soon be launched in a digital format across the state to strengthen monitoring.
Referring to the new criminal laws introduced under the leadership of the Prime Minister—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam—Khandu described them as a transformative reform in India’s criminal justice system. He congratulated the state police for achieving 100 percent training coverage and implementing initiatives such as e-Suraksha, e-Summons, ICJS integration, Nyay Shruti and mobile forensic vans.
However, he stressed the need to shift from arrest-oriented policing to conviction-oriented policing. “Arrests alone are not enough. Our conviction rate is around 30 percent. We must work closely with the Law and Judiciary Departments to identify gaps and improve outcomes,” he said. He also emphasized securing the “golden hour” for evidence preservation and strengthening the State Forensic Science Laboratory by augmenting manpower.
Highlighting the role of internal security in building a developed Arunachal Pradesh, the Chief Minister called for greater focus on modern criminal justice systems, AI-driven policing, cyber security, narcotics control and women and child safety.
He also congratulated Roing Police Station for receiving the Best Police Station Award 2025 and praised the team for achieving national standards through effective policing, integrity, empathy, discipline and adoption of technology.
Khandu further lauded the achievements of the Arunachal Pradesh Police, including structured implementation of the new criminal laws, destruction of nearly 16,000 acres of illegal poppy and cannabis cultivation, registration of hundreds of NDPS cases, major narcotics seizures and the dismantling of an inter-state vehicle theft syndicate.
“Arunachal has transformed significantly over the last decade. The police department has received substantial support from the government and we will continue to strengthen it further,” he said, adding that recommendations from the conference would be supported through financial allocations in the upcoming budget.
Welcoming the new DGP S. D. Singh Jamwal, the Chief Minister described him as an experienced and dynamic officer with significant central deputation experience. He expressed confidence that under his leadership the Arunachal Pradesh Police would reach new heights and hoped that he would have a stable and longer tenure to implement a clear vision for the force.
Reiterating that peace and stability remain the top priorities, Khandu urged officers to submit compliance reports on time and conduct similar orientation meetings at the district level to ensure that the outcomes of the conference are implemented effectively at the grassroots.