IMPHAL, July 2: With Manipur witnessing all kinds of crimes on a daily basis and crimes against women and children occurring at an alarming rate, the Forensic Science Laboratory of the Manipur Police department plays an important role in helping the police in their investigation of criminal cases.
On the ground however, the FSL which comes under the Home Department is still without up-to-date facilities for scientific investigations. On top of it, out of 43 sanctioned posts, the laboratory has only 18 staffs alongwith irregular power supply and bad infrastructure.
The Annual Administrative Report of the Manipur Police which was tabled during the ongoing 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly has clearly stated the present condition of the FSL.
According to the report, the facilities which are yet to be installed at the FSL for scientific investigation are DNA, Fingerprinting, explosive analysis, cyber forensic, forensic psychology, voice analysis, regional forensic laboratory and mobile forensic unit.
The FSL not only needs more facilities to help in scientific investigation, but 25 posts remain vacant out of the 43 sanctioned posts.
The sanctioned posts include one Director and a Joint Director in Administration of which, the later post is vacant; in Ballistic Division three Scientific Assistant post and one Laboratory Assistant Post are still vacant; in the Biology Division, two posts of Scientific Assistant and one Laboratory Assistant are still vacant; in the Documents Division two posts of Scientific Assistant and a Laboratory Assistant are vacant; in Chemistry division, two posts of Scientific Assistant and a Laboratory Assistant with the post of a Scientific Assistant have been filled; in Texicology Division, a post each of Viscera Cutter, Laboratory Assistant and Laboratory Attendant are vacant while in the Mobile Forensic Unit, two posts each of Laboratory Assistant and Scientific Assistant are vacant.
The report said, “The budgetary provision for the laboratory needs to be upgraded. Due to lack of funds staffs cannot be sent for sufficient trainings to update their skills and knowledge. Costly equipments purchased under modernisation cannot be maintained within the available fund leading to shortening life span and decreasing quality output”.
It continued, “While submitting budget proposals such requirements were always reflected. So far, except minor increase in salary lead, there is no change in other leads. Due to lack of fund sufficient number of books and journals cannot be purchased for using as reference materials to update current information in the field of Forensic science”.
“Even the equipment rooms cannot be maintained. A serious attention is required to increase the budget to enable functioning of this laboratory as a modern forensic science laboratory”, the report said.
The report has further continued that the laboratory has a campus of 4.8 acres and has an old building which requires repairing which will cost about Rs 49 lakhs.
“However, in the long run, considering its present condition, situation and limited space, it will be more feasible and economical by a new construction of a new building with all the requirements of a modern Forensic Science Laboratory”, it said.
“Proposal has been submitted to the PHQ through proper channel vide this office letter no 31/10/88-FSL (Mod)/460 dated July 8, 2010 for the constrction of a modern laboratory cum administrative building (G+3) storied at FSL campus approach roads, boundary walls etc in perspective plan 2011-12 and 2012-13”, it said.
The report had further said that accommodation of all basic requirements of a modern forensic laboratory including equipments, indoor firing range, wet and dry experimental rooms, store, library, staffs etc will be possible after the coming up of the new building.
Acknowledging that the power irregularity in the laboratory has seriously affected the output of the laboratory, the report has said, “It has become a formidable hindrance of equipments and completing examination procedures well in time”.
“Considering this fact, the Chief Engineer (power) was approached and he agreed to extend an 11 KVA HT dedicated line from Sainik School. In this regard a sum of Rs 10.74 lakh (approx.) was deposited to the electricity department to start erection and stringing of dedicated 11 KV HT line for 1.4 km with ACSR (Weasel) conductor”, it said.
The report further said that since the CE (power) has expressed technical difficulty for the extension of the line from Sainik School and suggested a direct line from Khuman Lampak, a sum of Rs 80.13 lakh is to e deposited to the electricity department and the proposal has been submitted to the PHQ.