SHILLONG : The Home (Police) Department, Government of Meghalaya, on Thursday organised a Nyaya Sanhita Exhibition at the State Convention Centre, Shillong, to create awareness about India’s newly enacted criminal laws among traditional leaders, students, government officials, and other stakeholders.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister in-charge of Home (Police), Prestone Tynsong, who also released the Meghalaya Police Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and launched the Investigation Monitoring Module, a digital initiative aimed at strengthening criminal investigations and improving case management across the state.
The programme witnessed the participation of members of Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep, traditional heads, students, government officials, and representatives from various institutions.
Addressing the gathering, Tynsong appreciated the active participation of Dorbar Shnongs, traditional institutions, educational institutions, and students, while acknowledging their continued cooperation with the government. He stressed the importance of collaboration between the government, law enforcement agencies, and community leaders in spreading awareness about the new criminal justice framework.
He stated that the exhibition was organised in line with the directives of the Ministry of Home Affairs to educate citizens on the provisions and significance of the new criminal laws. He also thanked the Director General of Police and the Home Department for successfully organising the event.
Highlighting the significance of the exhibition, Tynsong said the initiative provided citizens with an opportunity to understand both the provisions of the new laws and their practical implementation through interactive displays and demonstrations. He noted that such awareness programmes would help people better understand legal procedures, enforcement mechanisms, and their role in the justice delivery system.
The Deputy Chief Minister further highlighted the “T3” approach for implementing the new laws — Timeline, Technology, and Trust. According to him, timely investigations, effective use of technology, and building public trust are essential for ensuring efficient policing and justice delivery.
He urged students and community leaders to share the knowledge gained from the exhibition within their communities, emphasizing that legal awareness must go hand in hand with civic responsibility and compliance with the law.
Tynsong also informed that forensic mobile vans equipped with modern tools and technology have been deployed across all 12 districts of Meghalaya. These mobile units are expected to improve evidence collection and support faster investigations, particularly in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
He added that the new criminal laws are designed to expedite investigations and reduce delays in the filing of charge sheets. The state has also established a Directorate of Prosecution staffed by legal professionals from the Law Department to improve prosecution efficiency and help clear pending cases.
Speaking on the occasion, Director General of Police Idashisha Nongrang described the introduction of the new criminal laws as a landmark transition for the country.
“This is something that is absolutely new to us. We have had the previous criminal laws, which were a legacy of the British era. After 160 years, as a free country, we have been able to enact very significant and relevant new laws,” she said.
The DGP observed that the nature of crime has evolved considerably over the years, making it necessary to adopt a modern legal framework and advanced investigative methods. She expressed confidence that the new laws would help address contemporary challenges and strengthen the criminal justice system.
During the programme, the department also felicitated police officers and personnel for their dedication and commitment in the discharge of their duties.
The event concluded with a call for collective participation in building a more informed, law-abiding, and responsible society through greater awareness and effective implementation of the new criminal justice framework.