Editor
Guwahati, Assam - In a momentous event held at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra, Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah laid the foundation stone for the Guwahati campus of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) on Thursday. The occasion was graced by the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who expressed his enthusiasm for this significant development, stating that the establishment of NFSU is a remarkable achievement for Assam and its people.
During his address, Chief Minister Sarma emphasized the importance of transforming the university into a center of excellence and assured full support and cooperation to achieve this goal. He extended his gratitude to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for selecting Guwahati as the site for NFSU, highlighting the university's potential to contribute to advancements in forensic sciences and their beneficial impact on society.
"The establishment of the National Forensic Sciences University will not only enhance the criminal justice delivery system but also expedite investigations. Over the past two years, Assam's security scenario has witnessed significant improvements, resulting in a decrease in the number of registered cases across the state. With improved investigation procedures and efficient charge sheet filing, we anticipate even better outcomes in the days to come. The establishment of NFSU will elevate the conviction rate and further streamline the criminal justice system in the state," stated the Assam Chief Minister.
Chief Minister Sarma also revealed that the crime rate in Assam has seen a decline, with the rate dropping from 384 per lakh citizens in 2021 to 215 per lakh citizens in 2023. He emphasized the state government's commitment to developing Assam as a knowledge hub and expressed confidence that NFSU would contribute significantly to this vision. Additionally, he anticipates the creation of numerous job opportunities in Assam once the university becomes operational.
NFSU's Guwahati campus, with a projected student strength of over three thousand, will cater not only to the academic needs of northeastern students but also address the requirements of students from ASEAN countries. Alongside academic activities, the campus will offer training programs for the police, judiciary, and forensic scientists. In alignment with the event, Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the "Assam Police Seva Setu," an interactive web portal that enables citizens to file e-FIRs for 26 services.
The Union Home Minister emphasized the significance of the Guwahati Campus of NFSU, highlighting the abundant career opportunities it will provide to students in Northeast India. He added, "It will facilitate world-class forensic investigations in the region, leading to expedited justice."
The Molong campus of NFSU, to be established in Kamrup district on 50 acres of land allocated free of cost by the Government of Assam, will be complemented by the construction of the Guwahati Campus, estimated to cost approximately Rs 300 crore. The university will offer undergraduate, post-graduate, PhD, and post-doctoral programs in various disciplines.
During the ceremony, the Government of Assam signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with National Forensic Sciences University, with Niraj Verma, Principal Secretary to the Home and Political Department, Government of Assam, and Dr. JM Vyas, Vice Chancellor of NFSU, as the signatories.
In addition, Dr. JM Vyas, Vice Chancellor of NFSU, unveiled a book titled 'Analysis on Judicial Approach on Forensic Evidence' during the event. The occasion was attended by Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Rameshwar Teli, Environment and Forests Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, Vice Chancellor Dr. JM Vyas