The Laya police office in Gasa was inaugurated with four police constables and one senior Non-Commissioned Officer on October 19 by the senior superintendent of Punakha , Police Colonel Karma Tshering.
The office was set up with an objective to advocate laws among the people, create awareness and inform people about police functions and also to monitor crime in the community especially during the Royal Highland Festival from October 23-24.
In an interview with Business Bhutan, Colonel Karma Tshering said that the presence of police would heighten safety and security.
“We will also play an important role in creating awareness among the people,” he said adding that the police aimed to reach out to the remotest towns and villages in the country to serve and help people.
There were a few cases of people having to walk all the way to Gasa to lodge a complaint prior to establishing the police office in Laya. Now, it will be easier on the people.
Assault, battery and alcohol-related cases were the most common crimes reported in Laya.
Soon, the police in Laya will conduct the programs: friends of police, police-parent partnership and police-youth partnership to create awareness on laws.
Colonel Karma Thsering said that people were happy with the establishment of the office and conveyed their appreciation. In fact, the community had requested for the police office way back.
Khandu Wangchuk, a 24-year old Layap said the police office is expected to benefit the community. “We hope that crime is eliminated from the village.”
Five police personnel will be posted to Laya police office annually on rotation basis. The first batch of police has volunteered to serve a year. Laya has 290 households with five chiwogs.
Chencho Dema from Laya
