Gyalshing, July 17(IPR):
The Sikkim Police, under its visionary initiative “Building Bonds,” successfully organised a Community Policing Programme at the Auditorium of Government Senior Secondary School, Kyongsa. The programme was designed as a platform to strengthen ties between the Police and the community, particularly students and youths through dialogue, awareness and mutual understanding.
The event was graced by the presence of Director General of Police (DGP), Sikkim, Mr Akshay Sachdeva, IPS, as the Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker. He was accompanied by the District Collector, Gyalshing, Mr Tenzing D Denzongpa, Superintendent of Police, Gyalshing, Mr Tshering Sherpa, Additional SP, Mr Sonam W Bhutia, SDPO(Gyalshing and Dentam), Mr Bimal Gurung and Mr Karma Tenzing Bhutia, SHO Gyalshing, PI Roshan Gurung, SHO Utteray, PI Sakher Basnett along with Zilla and Gram Panchayat members, other police officials, representatives of various departments, Student Police Cadets and members of the 1st Sikkim Bn NCC.
In his keynote address, DGP Akshay Sachdeva emphasized the essence of community policing as a shared responsibility where citizens and law enforcement work hand in hand to build a safer and more harmonious society. He underlined that trust and transparency are the cornerstones of effective policing in modern times.
Policing is no longer about enforcement alone. It is about empathy, communication and collaboration. When the community trusts the police, it becomes easier to address challenges posed by anti-social elements, he remarked.
DGP Sachdeva highlighted how programmes like “Building Bonds” provide a meaningful space for interactive engagement with youth, who are not only the most vulnerable demographic but also the most powerful agents of change. He encouraged students to voice their concerns, understand their rights and become responsible citizens.
Reflecting on Sikkim’s unique social fabric, he said, Sikkim has always stood out for its peace-loving nature and cultural harmony.
The strength of our society lies in unity and mutual respect. It is not just the responsibility of the police but a collective moral duty of every citizen, including community members, educators, parents, and law enforcement, to protect and nurture the values of peace, harmony, and social integrity. Together we must build a culture where trust thrives, voices are heard and every individual feels safe and empowered.
To strongly emphasize this message, DGP Sachdeva conducted an engaging role-play exercise, randomly selecting volunteers from the audience to enact the roles of "Good Cops," "Bad Cops," "Good Citizens," and "Bad Citizens." This illustrative activity aimed to highlight the importance of ethical behaviour and the mutual accountability of both the police and the public in maintaining law and order.
He also spoke in detail about emerging digital threats, cautioning students against falling prey to online frauds, sextortion, honey traps and offences arising from exploitative romantic relationships. “Digital safety is now a crucial part of personal safety,” he warned.
Concluding his address, the DGP reiterated, “If you want your police force to remain strong and responsive, then the community must stand in support of its police. Otherwise, anti-social elements will find encouragement in our divisions.”
During his address, DC Gyalshing expressed sincere gratitude to the Director General of Police for organising this much-needed initiative in the district. He stated that such programmes play a pivotal role in fostering social responsibility and encouraging positive community engagement, particularly among the youth.
The DC brought attention to several pressing issues within the district, notably the increasing incidence of suicide cases. He expressed concern over this trend and conveyed hope that initiatives of this nature would inspire individuals, especially young people to contribute meaningfully to society rather than resorting to despair and self-harm.
He further informed that the district administration has initiated a monthly financial assistance of ₹15,000 to support a tuberculosis (TB) patient for their nutritional and dietary needs. Additionally, he briefed the gathering on the ongoing maintenance works of roads across the district.
With regard to drug-related concerns, the DC noted that the prevalence of drug abuse in Gyalshing is relatively lower compared to other regions. He affirmed that the district is conducting regular monthly review meetings under the NCORD mechanism to ensure timely monitoring and intervention.
Addressing the student attendees, DC made a fervent appeal to refrain from excessive and unproductive use of mobile phones, particularly scrolling through irrelevant content. He encouraged the youth to utilize digital technology for educational and constructive purposes, and to make optimal use of the resources available to them.
In his concluding remarks, DC shared an inspiring quote saying that "When you give the world the best you have, the best will come back to you.”
The programme witnessed active participation from school students, Paramedical students, faculty members, local community leaders and police personnel. Informative sessions, open interactions, and awareness talks were conducted on topics such as Preventive measures against drug abuse,
Online safety and cybercrime awareness,
Importance of mental well-being, Youth rights and legal literacy, Role of police in crisis situations.
The floor was opened for a Q&A session, allowing students to engage directly with police officials by raising pertinent questions and sharing their views on various contemporary issues.
At the outset, SP Gyalshing, delivered the welcome address, outlining the aims and objectives of the programme. The event concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by ASP, Gyalshing.
Following the successful completion of the community engagement component of the “Building Bonds” initiative, the second session of the programme was held as a departmental interaction with police officers and personnel from various units including the District Police, Wireless and Telecommunication (WT), Fire & Emergency Services and Special Branch under Gyalshing District. The session saw the participation of around 135 personnel and was aimed at reinforcing discipline, operational preparedness and institutional values within the force.
Addressing the gathering, DGP Mr Akshay Sachdeva, IPS, emphasized that physical fitness is a foundational requirement for policing. He mandated daily physical training (PT) for all personnel, stressing that fitness directly correlates with alertness and effectiveness in duty. He highlighted that discipline, respect for senior officers, proper turnout and the correct execution of salutes are essential elements of police conduct and should be upheld diligently in everyday life.
Reiterating the Government’s policy of zero tolerance towards drugs, the DGP called upon all personnel to tackle the issue with vigilance, accountability and coordinated efforts. He stated that every officer must contribute actively in curbing drug-related offences and work towards building a drug-free society.
The DGP also shared insights on the newly introduced criminal laws, underscoring the need for every police officer to be thoroughly familiar with the updated legal provisions to ensure efficient and lawful policing. He pointed out that legal awareness among personnel is critical in maintaining credibility and competence in handling criminal cases.
Speaking on the growing concern of cybercrime, he advised officers to remain alert and proactive. He encouraged them to deal with cyber-related cases with intelligence, speed, and technical awareness, while ensuring that investigations are conducted with utmost sensitivity and precision.
Further, he informed the house about the ongoing capacity-building initiatives being undertaken by the Police Department. He stated that the one-month training programme of Village Guards (VGs) at Pangthang has been instrumental in enhancing their field readiness, while the two-month specialized training of Sikkim Security Assistants (SSAs) at the Police Training Centre, Yangang has received positive feedback and yielded encouraging results. He also mentioned that official uniforms for VGs will soon be issued, ensuring uniformity and a professional identity in the field.
Concluding his address, DGP Sachdeva extended his best wishes to all officers and officials of Gyalshing District. He urged the personnel to discharge their duties with commitment, integrity, and a sense of public service. He encouraged them to work collectively to make the district free from crime and to reinforce public confidence in the police force.
The internal session served as a meaningful platform to refresh the guiding principles of professional policing, enhance coordination across departments, and realign efforts towards people-centric law enforcement.