The maximum number of complaints, registered with the state police accountability commission, against Assam Police in 2013 are related to blackmail or extortion and delay in registration of FIRs and inaction thereafter.
In 2013, the commission registered 36 complaints of delay in registration of FIRs and subsequent inaction, 33 complaints of blackmail or extortion, 17 complaints of non-registration of FIRs, three complaints of arrest and detention without adherence to the processes of law, two complaints of forcible deprivation of a person of his rightful ownership of property and two complaints of death in police custody or in the presence of police, against Assam Police.
In its report for 2013, which was submitted in the legislative assembly on Friday, the commission noted that, despite recommendations in the past to the state police chief regarding formulation of accountability parameters, nothing has been done yet.
The commission pulled up the DGP for not referring a single case of misconduct by policemen to the commission in 2013.
Section 78(1) of the Assam Police Act, 2007, empowers the commission to enquire into allegations of serious misconduct against police personnel either suo motu or on a complaint received from either a victim or the National Human Rights Commission or Assam Human Rights Commission, or police, or any other source.
Stating that its previous recommendations to enhance police's accountability have not been implemented by the state government, the commission suggested that the government make police stations issue receipts of FIRs with continuous and specific serial numbers, amend the Assam Police Act, 2007, empower the investigating agency of the commission to investigate complaints of serious misconduct by police, empower the commission to engage prosecutors, set up district accountability authorities without delay, make the government and the DGP submit quarterly reports of departmental enquiry to the commission according to the provisions of law and conduct orientation courses for SPs and additional SPs on police accountability.
