Crime-stricken Dimapur cautiously optimistic of police “commisionerate”

EMN Dimapur, April 16 The so-called “commisionerate” (an institutionalized slang used by Indian bureaucracy to denote a quasi-department that is headed by a commissioner) for Dimapur district is attracting more demands for actual law and order work from the police department. Civil organizations are expecting that the new system would not turn out to be another white elephant for Dimapur, a city stricken by crimes, and generally perceived by the public to be an urban area shorn of strong police and administrative machinery. “Past instances have shown that business community have been soft targets and they become unfortunate victims. When businessmen are burdened with illegal taxation, they have no way to recover and it becomes a burden to the consumers,” the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) stated in a note issued to the media on Thursday. Citizens may note here that the law and justice system has not been that much forthcoming fro the state, especially Dimapur district, when it came to addressing crimes such as extortion and serious criminal acts committed especially by non-state actors. Nonetheless, the DCCI said, ‘With the new policing system, DCCI believes that there would be quicker police response, higher quality of investigations and higher sensitivity in redressing public grievances and many other criminal activities.’ A peaceful ‘business atmosphere’ will lead to ‘undisturbed developmental activities ushering in peace and tranquility in the society,’ the business organization stated. “With the introduction of Police Commissionerate system in Dimapur, the Nagaland Government has fulfilled the long felt need of the people of Dimapur,” the DCCI stated. Dimapur being the commercial hub has also given rise to becoming the hub of crimes of various natures. The “commissionerate” system comes as a huge relief to the business community who continue to face ‘routine untold burden’ of extortion, kidnapping, murder, and ‘illegal taxation’ activities, the organization stated. The new police outposts to be created in Marwaripatti, New Market, Lengrijan, Khermahal and Purana Bazaar is lauded “as these are among the main market areas and would be providing a sense of security to the businessmen.” The DCCI also said pointed to what it called “necessary”, creation of new police outposts for the areas in Dillai Gate, Sub Jail junction, and Nagarjan Power House. These areas are the routes where criminals from neighboring states get easy entry and exit, the DCCI explained. The business community of Dimapur is optimistic that the new system would fulfil the “expectations of the people and provide a safer and peaceful environment for all to live in.” “We the business community request all other nongovernmental organizations and civil societies to extend their cooperation to the new policing system. On business lines, Dimapur is the nerve centre of the state as any commercial wave that takes place here affects entire Nagaland and even to the extent of neighboring Manipur,” the business community stated. “So it becomes inevitable that Dimapur remains stable in all commercial activities. Towards this, the business community assures our full support and cooperation to the new commissionerate in creating a conducive atmosphere in the city and make meaningful progress”.