“Bravery is not only about fighting against weapons and guns but it is also about standing up against anything bad”
Our Reporter
Dimapur, Jan. 31 (EMN): The International Human Rights Council (IHRC) felicitated Director General of Police (DGP) Border Affairs, Nagaland, Rupin Sharma with the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Bravery Awards 2020 at a function on January 31, in Dimapur.
Sharma, who is possibly the youngest IPS officer to be appointed as DGP of a state in India, said at the function that human rights are one step beyond fundamental rights and fall into two categories — individual human rights and social human rights.
He said that the West, like the USA have a more individual human right-centric approach as they have a capitalist and liberal train of thought. Whereas in places like India, individual human rights are compromised “a little” and social human rights are more prevalent.
“Countries like China have curtailed individual rights because of the recent outbreak of coronavirus and social rights have taken precedence,” Sharma said, adding that in some countries both rights co-exist.
Coming to the context of Nagaland, the DGP stressed on the importance of education as a way to lead into sensible discussions and dialogue.
“Corruption hits the root of human rights; we should be having sensible discussions on corruption,” Sharma said while maintaining that every problem has a solution.
“One of the manifestations of corruption we openly see is the difference in public and private properties,” Sharma pointed out. He asked why Nagas have not opposed corruption as much as it is needed, and should demand for their rights.
“Things are slowly changing and equal opportunities should be given to all,” Sharma said. “There are so many jobs in Nagaland and the people should know that and apply honestly for those jobs,” he encouraged.
Believing that the system in Nagaland needs to be transparent, the police officer said that if anyone questions the government or the state, the answer would be delivered through transparency.
Speaking on the topic of customary laws in Nagaland, the DGP urged the people to approach and intimate the police if any occurrence or case happens at the village level. He believed that by doing so, it would help curb crime in the system, once any perpetrator is reported.
“Let us not be over-tolerant about crime and corruption,” he said, adding that Nagas have a big heart, which is why they “forgive easily.”
“Bravery is not only about fighting against weapons and guns but it is also (about) standing up against anything bad,” he concluded.
