Agartala: Mar 16: Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to hold an important meeting with the Chief Ministers (CMs) of eight northeastern states in Guwahati on Sunday to review the implementation of three new criminal laws that replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and other related laws last year. The meeting, scheduled to take place at a hotel in Guwahati, will focus on evaluating the progress of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), which came into effect on July 1, 2023. These laws replaced the IPC, CrPC, and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.
The Home Minister has been attending a series of programs in Assam and Mizoram since March 14. After the crucial meeting in Guwahati, Amit Shah is expected to depart for New Delhi later in the night. During the meeting, each northeastern state will present updates on the implementation of these new laws, showcasing their progress and challenges.
The new criminal laws have been a significant shift for the region, and thousands of officials across multiple departments in the northeastern states have been undergoing training to ensure effective application of the laws. This includes departments such as Home, Police, Law, Prosecution, Forensic, Health, and Prisons.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, Mizoram CM Lalduhoma, and other CMs have already arrived in Guwahati for the meeting. In preparation, CM Saha held a review meeting in Agartala last week with senior officials from various departments to assess the implementation process in Tripura.
Given the linguistic diversity in the region, with around 200 languages and dialects spoken, initial versions of the laws will be in English and Hindi, ensuring accessibility while further translations are developed. This meeting marks a crucial step in ensuring the successful enforcement of these new legal frameworks in the region.
