Chairing a meeting of senior police officials here, Bahuguna, who has been under fire from the opposition for a "deteriorating law and order scenario" in the state said their first an foremost responsibility is to generate a sense of confidence among people and make them feel they are secure.
Flagging social amity and peace as his government's topmost priority, the Chief Minister said tourism and investment in the hill state will get a boost only if it has a sound law and order scene.
Claiming that law and order in Uttarakhand is better than many other states, he said it needs to be further strengthened. He told officials attending the meet that they were completely at liberty to take stern action against the wrongdoers.
"Act freely against forces inimical to peace and don't feel you are under any kind of pressure," he said.
Asking police officials to also keep a tab on criminals entering Uttarakhand from neighbouring states, he said better coordination with police in states adjoining Uttarakhand will be of great help in this regard.
The Congress government in the state is under attack from the opposition which has alleged that law and order has touched an all time low with frequent broad daylight heists and murders reported from different parts of the state.
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Bahuguna also assured officials of steps to ensure that their morale is not lowered and reminded them of the state government's recent decision to revise the amount given as Police Welfare Fund from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore.
The Chief Minister said the police force will be modernised and made technologically more advanced keeping in view the changing times. Resources like communication equipment and vehicles will be made available to the force as and when needed, he said.
Bahuguna also sanctioned Rs 3 lakh each from the Chief Minister Relief Fund for the next of kin of six police personnel killed on duty in Rudraprayag district.
Newly appointed DGP Satyavrat Bansal made a power point presentation on the law and order scenario in the state and the police force, saying that reining in organised crime and possible terror activities are the force's priority.