Bhopal, Feb 9: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that police officials in the state must ensure tight law and order arrangements and provide total protection and security to citizens. Strict action should be taken in such crimes as kidnapping. He was talking to senior officers of Home Department in the context of kidnapping of a child in Narsingarh district. He also made a thorough review of law and order situation in the state.

The Chief Minister instructed that most stringent action should be taken against criminals involved in heinous crimes including kidnapping and murder. No relaxation should be given to such criminals. Common man should feel the existence of police officers and jawans in the districts. Such arrangements should be made that a sense of fear is instilled among the criminals. Terming kidnapping of just one-year-old child as very severe, Chouhan expressed satisfaction over the fact that the child has been rescued safely and restored to its parents. He said that sometimes such rescue acts take time, which undermines people's confidence in police force. The Chief Minister praised the alertness of Narsingarh police officers and jawans for undertaking efforts for the safe release of the kidnapped child. At the review meeting, the Chief Minister also agreed on the posting of deputy inspector general and senior level police officers as per requirements in large towns. Discussion was also held on decentralisation of powers of transfer of constables, head constables and assistant inspectors at district and zone level.

Chouhan assured that required sanction would soon be given for providing additional resources and arrangements to the police for keeping effective control over criminals. Installation of cameras at important roads and check posts also came up for discussion at the review meeting.

Director General of Police Anandrao Pawar informed the meeting about the efforts being undertaken for curbing the activities of criminals and anti-social elements. He said that kidnapped persons have been rescued without giving any ransom. The police force is performing its duty with alertness and alacrity.

Home Minister Himmat Kothari, Chief Secretary Rakesh Sahni and senior police officers were also present at the review meeting.