In order to check the quality of the items and and even rations to be dispensed to the personnel of the Nagaland police, it was learnt that samples of the same are provided to a “committee” comprising of two or three senior officers detailed from the PHQ, Kohima.
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
A viral video that surfaced in the social media recently revealed that Nagaland police personnel are supplied with inferior quality uniforms and gears including sub-standard boots. The contractors or suppliers of the inferior items are now likely to face the ire of the authorities if these allegations are proved to be true.
In the viral video being circulated, a personnel of Nagaland police, was reportedly seen buying a “hunting boot” which was of inferior quality. When inquired why the police personnel was buying low quality items, a source from the police department said, “The supply of clothing materials (uniforms) are of poor quality” and hence the police personnel had no option but to buy their own uniforms and other gears. Those in the police receive expired items like shoe polish and even the ground sheets for cleaning arms and ammunition are of poor quality, (90%) with fungus”.
The source also alleged that all items or materials provided to the Nagaland police personnel once a year are of “low quality”. The identities of the concerned supplier(s) or contractor(s) are yet to be known.
It was pointed out that there will be grievances galore in the coming days. Some which will be related to Nagaland Police Risk Insurance Fund Scheme (NPRIFS), rations, and other schemes. The source maintained that the NPRIFS are disbursed within 48 hours as usual in the past decades provided all documents are authentic.
In order to check the quality of the items and and even rations to be dispensed to the personnel of the Nagaland police, it was learnt that samples of the same are provided to a “committee” comprising of two or three senior officers detailed from the PHQ, Kohima. Ironically, the same supply of the materials would not reach its destination. Instead, inferior quality items would be supplied. The source also alleged that the ration and clothing suppliers to the Nagaland Police are mostly non-Nagas who supply the items under the guise of Naga names. They in return allegedly pay part of their profit to “higher-ups” in the government including political leaders.
Meanwhile, Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Y Patton, taking to his official Twitter Handle, has urged upon the DGP, Rupin Sharma, to verify the authenticity of the matter and to take appropriate measures in order to ensure the welfare and safety of the personnel which according to him is “paramount”.
It may be mentioned that as per the record, Police Central Store (PCS), which was established in the year 1973 under the command of one DSP/OC, functioned directly under the supervision of Police Head Quarters (PHQ) and in 2008, a post of Addl SP was upgraded/created by the Nagaland state government and since then, the office has been functioning smoothly.
All the supplied items are received at PCS from the government approved firms/suppliers, to be seated for the line committee board for clearance and after passing the supplied items to various units accordingly as per the allotment order of PHQ, Kohima.
Branches of the PCS comprises of eight section/branches which are assigned by OC PCS, Chumoukedima, with a member of an NGO as in-charge under each section/branch except in medicine section/branch which functions under a ministerial staff as in-charge for Clothing ‘A’ and ‘B’, footwear, miscellaneous, ration, arms, MT, and medicine.
The Nagaland police AR-Shop is directly under the supervision of PHQ, Kohima, and it is under the command of an ABI (Armourer-in-chief) at Police Central AR-Shop, Chumoukedima.