By Special Correspondent
Bhopal: In a significant step towards strengthening scientific and technology-driven policing in Madhya Pradesh, the state’s first district-level advanced fingerprint laboratory has been established in Vidisha district. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurated the facility on March 7 during a programme held at PM Shri Balak Higher Secondary School in Shamshabad, Vidisha district.
The laboratory has been set up under the Government of India’s fingerprint-based multi-purpose project, the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS), which aims to make criminal investigation more scientific, accurate and efficient. Through the NAFIS system, Vidisha district police have so far identified and traced accused persons in 117 cases using fingerprint evidence. The use of this technology has helped recover large quantities of stolen property and has also contributed to solving serious offences, including complex and previously unsolved murder cases.
The establishment of the modern fingerprint laboratory at the district level is a pioneering initiative in the state and is expected to provide a new direction to criminal investigation. It is also likely to serve as a model for other districts to adopt similar scientific methods in policing.
During the programme, the Chief Minister presented ISO certificates to Inspector General of Police, Bhopal Rural Zone, Sanjay Tiwari, and Vidisha Superintendent of Police Rohit Kashwani for the police offices and police stations in the district. As part of the initiative, 20 police stations and five police offices in Vidisha have been upgraded in accordance with international standards to improve service quality, transparency and citizen satisfaction.
On the occasion, youths who developed the “Rahveer Vidisha” mobile application were also honoured. The application, created by engineering students of Samrat Ashok Technological Institute under the guidance of the Chief Minister and on the initiative of Vidisha police, aims to provide swift assistance to road accident victims. Around 150 trained trauma support volunteers have been prepared across the district to respond quickly to accident alerts and assist the injured at the earliest.
The initiative reflects a blend of modern technology, scientific investigation and humanitarian sensitivity, ensuring stronger crime detection mechanisms as well as improved public assistance and police services.
