Correspondent
KOHIMA, SEPTEMBER 5
THE Kohima DEF today became the first unit in the history of Nagaland Police to observe a no case pendency day with all the cases registered under the district’s seven police stations having been cleared off.
Speaking at the ‘Zero Case Pendency Day’ programme held in the conference hall of SP Office Kohima on Thursday, the Superintendent of Police Kohima, Rothihü Tetseo said that all the cases registered under the DEF Kohima till June 2013 have been disposed off with the collective efforts of investigating and supervisory officers of the DEF Kohima. He stated that in view of increase in crime rates along with the growth in population in the state capital and surrounding villages, new police stations have been created in the district for effective crime control and prevention. The SP highlighted that an average of around 250 criminal cases are registered annually for the last three years and furnished the crime statement of Kohima police from January 2010 to June 2013. The statement indicates that out of 832 registered cases, 580 have been chargesheeted, 250 are under final report, 228 on pending trial, 292 convicted and 50 acqitted. The SP also disclosed that out of 113 persons who were arrested in 2013 alone (up to June 30, 2013), 67 are under trial while 33 have been convicted and 13 acquitted. Further, he divulged that there has been a huge leap in non-FIR cases registered particularly in North and South Police Stations of Kohima in the current year, from 100 cases in 2012 to 684 in 2013.
Director General of Police (DGP) Nagaland, Besesayo Kezo while commending the Kohima police personnel on their feat, emphasized on the need for the uniformed men to work with team spirit. He said it is only through teamwork that success is achieved by the police. Making a mention of the police hierarchy, the DGP said every personnel has to supervise and collaborate with each other, down to the “last man”. He asserted that policing work is like marching on the training parade ground where every move needs to be synchronized and no personnel should fall out of line. Kezo said that information, intelligence and communication among all police personnel within the district as well as with counterparts in other districts and neighbouring states will be the key to success. Observing that many people hesitate to approach police stations out of fear, the DGP encouraged police personnel to reach out to the public and offer assistance. “Can I help you?” are simple yet the most beautiful words that a policeman can say to a civilian, he said.
Also exhorting the gathering, Inspector General of Police (Range), P.F. Zeliang said the ‘Zero Case Pendency Day’ of Kohima police is a unique observation which was unheard of throughout his service of more than 30 years in the police department. While congratulating the SP Kohima and his subordinate staff on achieving nil pendency of cases, the IGP cautioned them not to compromise or rush up cases at any time in order to achieve such a target. He also shared the DGP’s views that staying connected with others in detecting criminals and containing crimes is the only way to improve the quality of policing work. He appealed to all police personnel to be proactive in their work and handle every case meticulously by collaborating with eachother.
Taking a dig at the much talked about leniency in granting bails to criminals in the state, IGP Zeliang said that though the law has its own provisions some restraints in the judiciary is necessary.
He also pointed out that public prosecutors in some districts fail to attend crime conferences conducted by the police and stressed on the need for a collaboration among the police, administration and judicial officials in all the districts of the state. This is necessary because a small procedural mistake can dismiss a case and police personnel has to be sensitized on the procedures of law, he asserted. Zeliang further urged upon all the SDPOs and Ocs of police stations to study every case properly, particularly in vehicle theft cases, and study the modus operandi and place strategies so as to put that strategy into act in case of new reports.
Addressing the gathering, Public prosecutor Kohima, Kathu Rengma said it is the duty of all investigating officers to frame chargesheets so that the courts do not find loopholes in the cases. “They should not only submit chargesheets but also gather sufficient legal requirements by expeditiously investigating the case and submit them to the court during the stipulated time,” he said. He stated that criminals are getting more well-phrased with the legal system through their legal advisors and thus, the police and the judiciary cannot afford to be complacent and casual in their duty. The public prosecutor also suggested few points to the police officials for the improvement of the quality of investigation such as setting up of a separate investigating unit, an officer of IG rank to take the charge of prosecution and investigation, and establishment of an up-to-date forensic science labroratory.
Deputy Commissioner Kohima, Honje Konyak also endorsed the public prosecutor’s suggestions and urged upon DGP Nagaland to take up the initiative on the same. Konyak lauded the SP Kohima, officers and jawans for their efforts in collaborating with the district administration in maintaining peace and tranquility in the state capital. He also called upon them to rededicate themselves and work towards achieving a more peaceful situation in the district.
The Kohima police also announced that it has formally launched Crime & Criminal Tracking and Networking System (CCTNS) and one case has already been chargesheeted online registered at the SCRB/NCRB. Additional SP Kohima M. Rhovisie Nyuwi who chaired the programme stated that the ‘Zero Case Pendency Day’ observance is an initiative of SP Kohima Rothihü Tetseo to encourage the men in uniform in their duty and also to seek the people’s suggestion, particularly the district administration and judiciary, for the police personnel to perform better for the welfare of the society.
141 police officers and jawans were awarded for exceptional conduct of duty on the occasion. Among them, ASI Chiwasie Nyusou (South Traffic) received the award for Most Cases Disposed, and UBSI Imsutoshi (South PS) was awarded Most Sensitive Case Disposed award.
