THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA.COM|by Abul Hasan
Bhopal, 18 December 2025.
Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, while addressing the Director General–Inspector General of Police Conference 2025 at Police Headquarters Bhopal, emphasised the urgent need to transform public perception of the police through better communication, transparency and sensitivity. He said the police must be viewed not merely as a law-enforcement agency, but as a trusted institution that works closely with citizens to ensure safety and justice.

The Chief Minister congratulated the Madhya Pradesh Police for uprooting Left Wing Extremism from the state and paid tribute to the personnel who made the supreme sacrifice in this mission. He noted that the police force had also been appreciated during the special session of the Legislative Assembly held on 17 December. Stressing the future roadmap, he said development and welfare initiatives in formerly affected areas must continue in a sustained manner so that extremism does not find space to re-emerge.

On his arrival at Police Headquarters, Dr Yadav was accorded a Guard of Honour and inspected the ceremonial parade. He was received by Director General of Police Kailash Makwana along with senior police officers. The conference was attended by Chief Secretary Anurag Jain, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) and other senior IPS officers including Sai Monohar, Adarsh Katiyar, Yogesh Choudhary, Jaideep Prasad, Harinarayan Chari Mishra, Abhay Kumar Singh, K P Venkatesh Rao and civil administration.

In his address, Dr Yadav directed senior police officers to immediately begin activities such as surprise inspections in their respective jurisdictions to strengthen field-level supervision and accountability. He underlined that the police should regularly share information about their achievements and positive initiatives with public representatives, the media and the general public. A police force that is visible, communicative and responsive, he said, inspires confidence rather than fear.

Referring to the influence of social media, the Chief Minister described it as both a powerful instrument and a serious challenge. He warned that misuse of digital platforms could spread rumours, misinformation and criminal activity. The police, therefore, must be technologically proficient and equipped to take swift and effective action against misleading or provocative content. At the same time, social media should be used constructively to provide timely assistance to citizens and strengthen police–public engagement.

Dr Yadav laid special emphasis on women’s and children’s safety, calling it one of the highest priorities of the state government and the police. He advocated stronger community policing initiatives to create a secure social environment and advised police personnel to remain alert to their language and behaviour. Trust of the general public, he said, is the police’s greatest responsibility and its most valuable asset.

On road safety, the Chief Minister called for a dual strategy combining public awareness and technology. Identification of accident-prone black spots, regular patrolling on sensitive routes, strict enforcement against drunken driving, speed control and adherence to traffic rules could significantly reduce road accidents. He also stressed wider dissemination of information about the Rahveer Scheme, organisation of eye-testing camps for drivers, and ensuring that ambulance services function transparently and without unethical linkages.

Addressing the issue of substance abuse, Dr Yadav reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy. He said prohibition in religious cities must be enforced strictly and that any illegal sale of alcohol, drugs or chemical substances would invite stringent action. The objective, he said, is to build a strong social environment against addiction.

The Chief Minister also stressed the need for integrated training facilities for various police specialisations within a single campus, coordination with the Urban Administration Department for development of densely populated and sensitive areas, and replication of successful community-led initiatives such as voluntary removal of encroachments in cities like Ujjain and Burhanpur. He further directed that social and cultural activities aligned with tribal traditions be promoted in the state, on the lines of initiatives such as the Bastar Olympics in Chhattisgarh.

Earlier, Director General of Police Kailash Makwana informed that the conference was organised to review the implementation of directives and action points emerging from the All India DGP–IG Conference held in Raipur on the theme “Developed India: Security Dimensions”, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said detailed discussions were held on internal security and law and order, police modernisation, women’s safety, redevelopment of police station premises, Simhastha 2028 preparations, cyber initiatives, use of technology and artificial intelligence in policing, promotion of new criminal laws, community policing, disaster management, de-addiction efforts, tourist policing, forensic science, cyber crime prevention and road safety.

Presentations by senior officers covered areas including anti-terror operations, law and order management, Left Wing Extremism, police modernisation, women’s safety, cyber security, use of artificial intelligence in policing and forensic capabilities.

Summing up his address, Dr Yadav said fear must exist among criminals, not among citizens. Preserving public trust, strengthening dialogue and encouraging innovation and social responsibility within the police force, he said, are essential to building a modern, people-centric policing system in Madhya Pradesh.