Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday asked Odisha police to ensure courteous and sensitive behaviour towards citizens, saying every complainant visiting a police station should be treated as a victim deserving empathy and support.Addressing the state-level DGP-IGP conference, Majhi outlined a 10-point agenda for strengthening law and order, improving investigations, tackling cybercrime and narcotics, enhancing coastal security and modernising policing across the state. Reviewing the state’s law and order, internal security and cyber security situation, the chief minister assured the police force of full govt support, including funding, infrastructure and administrative backing.Emphasising the govt’s zero-tolerance policy towards crimes against women and organised crime, Majhi said the conviction rate in such cases has improved to over 40%, but called for raising it to at least 75% through professional, technology-driven investigations. With the festive season approaching, he directed police to crack down on extortion and forced collections.He reiterated the govt’s goal of making Odisha drug-free by 2029 and directed police to go beyond arrests and seizures by dismantling the supply chains and financial networks behind the narcotics trade. On coastal security, Majhi reviewed measures to safeguard Odisha’s 575-km coastline and prevent infiltration through maritime routes.He said security has been strengthened through a command and control centre in Bhubaneswar, use of drones, trawlers and interceptor boats, expanded beach patrols using all-terrain vehicles, and deployment of special police officers (SPOs) and former servicemen.To combat cybercrime and financial fraud, the chief minister called for greater public awareness, close monitoring of emerging technologies and surveillance of activities on the dark web. He also stressed strengthening intelligence gathering through platforms such as NATGRID and CCTNS.Highlighting the state’s success against Left-wing extremism, Majhi said Maoist violence has been effectively contained and Odisha has been recognised by the Union home ministry for the performance of Odisha Special Striking Force (OSSF) battalions and its surrender policy. He added that 17,794 posts have been created in the police department in the last two years, of which 5,817 have already been filled.The chief minister also announced plans to modernise police stations, backed by a dedicated investigation fund of Rs 50 crore and improved equipment. He stressed that police stations should inspire confidence among citizens, remarking that “criminals should tremble at the sight of police, not innocent people.”Calling for corruption-free policing, Majhi instructed officers to uphold integrity and professionalism while ensuring public trust. During the conference, he interacted with officers from across the state, discussed challenges in their districts and urged them to work towards a “Safe Odisha, Empowered Odisha and Prosperous Odisha”.Chief secretary Anu Garg called for making policing more citizen-centric and congratulated the force on receiving the President’s Colour Award. She credited Odisha police for helping eliminate Naxalism from the state and ensuring peaceful conduct of major events, including the Rath Yatra.DGP Vinaytosh Mishra assured the chief minister that Odisha police would intensify efforts against cybercrime, anti-social activities and illegal narcotics trade, while strengthening patrolling and law and order measures across districts.
