RPP demands the removal of incumbent DGP in view of his alleged irregular appointment
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
Rising People’s Party (RPP), Nagaland, on Wednesday said that the six months service extension of Nagaland DGP, T John Longkumer, who had retired this year on August 31, on the recommendation of the state government in blatant disregard of the Supreme Court of India’s guidelines is nothing but “abuse of state power”.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner of India (CECI), New Delhi, and also forwarded to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Nagaland, RPP secretary, Akum Longkumer, while requesting the authority concerned to take cognizance on the matter stated that the letter written by Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio to the Home Minister of India, Amit Shah, was “crystal clear indication” that the state government wants to retain the services of the present DGP for political reasons.
The RPP said on August 25 this year, the Chief Minister’s letter mentioned that “it is also worth mentioning that the state is facing assembly elections in a few months” time and it was essential to have continuity at the top leadership of the police force to deal with any law and order problems that may arise during elections.
RPP also said that the underlying meaning of the Chief Minister’s letter was “very clear” that the state intends to manipulate the police force and the administrative machinery to subvert “free and fair elections” while adding that the letter of the UPSC to the chief secretary dated 1st April 2022, clearly refused to entertain T John Longkumer since the latter had already superannuated from service, and that he was required to be deleted from the eligibility list as sent by the state government.
“Given the circumstances, the Nagaland Law Students’ Federation (NLSF)/Vitho Zao approached the Supreme Court of India for redressal. Thus, the Supreme Court vide Writ Petition (civil) No. 310/1996, dated 17/10/2022, passed the order that “In view of the communication which has been issued by the UPSC on 1st April 2022, the state of Nagaland must immediately send the list of empanelled officers for
appointment to the post of DGP….The list of eligible officers who are empanelled shall be communicated to the UPSC no later than 31 October 2022. The UPSC shall take a decision thereon on or before 30 November 2022,” the RPP stated.
The RPP further requested the authority concerned to take steps for the removal of the incumbent DGP in view of his irregular appointment and Supreme Court observation.
It may be mentioned that the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, has on November 1 this year had written a letter to the chief secretary, Nagaland, on empanelment of IPS officers for appointment as DGP Nagaland where it mentioned that the matter of consideration of A Sunil Acharya, IPS, (NL-91) to include his name in a panel for the post of DGP has been considered at an appropriate level.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India’s letter also mentioned that Acharya wishes to continue on deputation with the government of India and does not wish to considered for posting as DGP Nagaland.