The party alleged that the letter written by the Chief Minister Rio to the Home Minister of India Amit Shah was a crystal clear indication that the NDPP-BJP Coalition is retaining the services of the present DGP for political reasons.
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
The recent 6-month service extension of DGP T John Longkumer who had retired on August 31, 2022 is nothing but “blatant abuse of state power” which is liable to attract court proceedings against the political leadership, says the Rising People’s Party (RPP).
The RPP in a press statement argued that it would not allow the state to manipulate public office for “personal ambitions and devious political agenda”.
The party alleged that the letter written by the Chief Minister Rio to the Home Minister of India Amit Shah was a crystal clear indication that the NDPP-BJP Coalition is retaining the services of the present DGP for political reasons.
On August 25, 2022, the Chief Minister’s letter mentioned that “It is also worth mentioning that that the state is facing assembly elections in a few months’ time and it is 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.”
The RPP claims that the underlying meaning of the Chief Minister’s letter is very clear that “he intends to manipulate the police force and the administrative machinery to undermine, coerce, and threaten his political opponents in the next general election – and win by hook or by crook by subverting free and fair elections”.
Also as per the letter of the UPSC to the chief secretary dated April 1, 2022, the UPSC had clearly refused to entertain T John Longkumer but the rule of law has been blatantly disregarded and the State government led by the CM has not heeded the directions/ruling of the Supreme Court, said RPP.
The party further alleged that “the sole motive” for the Chief Minister retaining John Longkumer is to win the coming election for the NDPP-BJP Coalition at any cost. The RPP said it will take up this issue with the Election Commission of India shortly.
In the meantime, the Rising People’s Party along with few publicly spirited lawyers and individuals is one of the petitioners filing an appropriate petition before the Supreme Court of India with regard to violation of laid down guidelines on the appointment of DGPs in the state.