Nagaland police begins crackdown on errant personnel; either reform or perish, warns DGP

•             157 people arrested over the last 3 months in connection with drugs

•             43 police personnel placed under suspension

•             Action taken under the NDPS Act on 23 personnel

•             Departmental inquiry pending against 20 personnel

KOHIMA — The Director of General Police (DGP) Nagaland, Rupin Sharma, once again warned that no leniency would be shown to personnel caught not performing duties due to substance abuse.

“Either reform or perish,” he said, adding that the entire police department cannot be tagged as “bad” because of some bad apples.

The police chief was addressing journalists during a press conference at PHQ, Kohima, on Wednesday.

Around 30 police personnel have availed rehabilitation facilities after the department issued notice to those using banned substances to avail such help, he informed.

As per the police record, the law enforcement agencies in Nagaland have arrested as many as 157 people and registered FIRs against 133 persons over the past three months (June to August) in connection with drug cases.

A total of 43 police personnel were placed under suspension under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, completed department inquiry proceedings for 23, while the departmental inquiry pending personnel under suspension is 20, and the number of employees against whom action has been taken under the NDPS Act is 23, according to the police record.

It went on to state that one personnel was given compulsory retirement for substance abuse, seven dismissed from service, one awarded rank down with cumulative effect for three years, nine awarded stoppage of three years increment with cumulative effect, three given a year increment down, and one personnel awarded one year increment down without cumulative effect and suspension period treated as not on duty. 

Law and order situation

On extortions, the DGP said there has been a reasonable success rate.

The law and order situation in the state is good except for a few fatal accidents and rape cases, he said, adding that the police department is trying its best to improve the situation.

‘Madeinagaland’ app

In a move to combat the drug menace and extortion in the state, the Nagaland Police has launched ‘madeinagaland’ application and a website, where the public can provide information or complaints related to drugs and extortion online.

The informants or complainants can provide their name, address, phone number etc., while making a complaint in the app but it is not mandatory. However, details of drugs, UG groups, extortion amount suspect’s name, phone number, address, photographs, videos, audio or any relevant data can be given if available.

Organisations can’t frisk, arrest

Requesting the citizens to provide information to the nearest police station if they come across any cases related to drug users, peddlers and traffickers, the police said that the public can use the newly launched app or WhatsApp for communication. It also advised the citizens not to allow unknown persons to use their mobile phones for such activities.

The police cautioned the taxi drivers to remain vigilant on passengers and items carried or given to them for transport to other places, pointing out that lots of drugs are caught in cabs.

The police also advised CSOs, NGOs and the general public not to arrest any trafficker without prior information to the police, cautioning that such detentions can be charged with wrongful confinement and FIR may be registered against them.

It went on to say that civil organisations cannot impose fines on consumers, drug addicts, or traffickers, as such an act will be considered a crime (extortion). The public should not be involved in vehicle checking or frisking of persons as such act is illegal, it added.

On alleged poor boot quality

Regarding a video clip showing a person peeling off the sole of a boot, allegedly supplied for state police personnel, the DGP said they were looking into the matter and would address it.

A mechanism has been put in place in the department, he said, adding that it has initiated the closing down of old stocks and directed unit commandants not to supply perishable items.

Assuring to look into the consignment, he also said that the sole and leather of shoes wear off if kept in stores for a long time, especially in humid climatic conditions.

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