Addressing the gathering at Nagaland Police Service Association’s 52nd general conferenceas the special guest, Nagaland’s Director General of Police Rupin Sharma (IPS) emphasized the crucial role of NPSA members in the state’s policing framework
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
The Nagaland Police Service Association (NPSA) held its 52nd general conference on Wednesday at the Rhododendron Hall, Police Complex, Chumoukedima. Addressing the gathering as the special guest, Nagaland’s Director General of Police (DGP) Rupin Sharma (IPS) emphasized the crucial role of NPSA members in the state’s policing framework. He reiterated his longstanding belief that the association is the “backbone” of the Nagaland Police.
In his detailed address, Sharma highlighted the significance of field officers such as Deputy Commandants, Assistant Commandants, Sub-Divisional Police Officers (SDPOs), and Additional Superintendents of Police (SPs), who interact directly with the public. He noted that while senior officers above the rank of Commandant primarily handle managerial roles, these officers are essential in fostering public confidence in law enforcement.
Stating that NPS officers are very important in the structure of the Nagaland police which “links the head with the feet”, Sharma called for an efficient team work within the police department in the state while thanking the officers and the personnels for controlling the crime and situations within the state, however, he said that there is always much more which is required to be done as a scope for improvement.
Admitting that there’s was lapses in communication last year within his office due to deputing the jawans or the personnel to depute for election duties, but assuming and giving all the benefit of the doubt saying that yes, the durbars were there and the briefings were taking place, the several grievances addressed to him not only the DA issue, certain circulars from the PHQ, messages from the PHQ, schemes of the Government of India or other departments and other things.
Earlier, IGP (Adm), Joseph Hesso (IPS), also spoke as special invitee.
Compered by Imotemjen Jamir, and Lika M Achumi, the NPSA general conference inaugural session saw NPSA vice-president, Talisunup Imchen, welcoming its members and the guests, presidential address was delivered by NPSA president, Vilhousei Peseyie, the gatherings were enthralled with a folk song by 15 (IR) Mahila Band, while the vote of thanks was delivered by NPSA joint secretary, R Philip Yanthan.
In the business session, chaired by NPSA general secretary, Relo Aye, short speeches were delivered by Krodi Rhetso, and L Ben Longkumer, reports of general secretary, and treasurer were also given including report of nominating committee for the new office bearers, speeches by outgoing and the elect presidents followed by closing remarks proposed by NPSA joint secretary, Manom Wallim, marked the business session of the NPSA.
Motor Vehicle Check Points (MVCPs)
Flashing on the Motor Vehicle Check Points (MVCPs) which the Nagaland police department had started, Rupin Sharma praised all the officers which according to him has been a success story of Nagaland police at the drop of an instruction in the WhatsApp group (officers) every unit of Nagaland Police knows what is to be done is on the streets at the designation, designated locations and doing what is required to be done which had seen many improvements.
“Can you imagine, in about three hours of flash MVCPs whenever it takes place in a day, Nagaland Police ends up checking about 3000 vehicles in three, in three hours. In your normal routine patrolling, all NAP Commandants, IR Commandants and DEFs, they don’t check more than 50 to 100 vehicles a day. You know, just see the difference that it makes. 100 vehicles per day, 3000 vehicles in about three hours”, he said and encouraged the officers to look at the confidence it brings to the public.
“I would ideally want that all company commanders, all platoon commanders, all company commanders should be on the field. If possible, the Commandants and the SPs, SDPOs, OCs should visit one or two of these MVCPs during that day. You know, I’m not saying you visit all your flash MVCPs. One in a day, you will see the difference. It just brings you together”, he added.
The other issue he emphasized was about the “compassionate appointments” in the police department even including that of the land owners, Rupin Sharma categorically stated that these are two different things, but related to it, as all know the court case of 935 plus constables recruitment case is still pending, apply when there is an advertisement, not just wasting time dealing with people false hopes.
Alleged recommendations to procure arms for councillors by DMC chairperson
On the sideline of the NPSA 52nd general conference held at the Rhododendron Hall, Nagaland Police Officer’s Central Mess, Chumoukedima, Nagaland DGP, while interacting with the media persons on the issue of recommendations or letter addressed to him recently by Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC), chairperson, allegedly to procure arms for his counsellors, Rupin Sharma said the police department is going to take cognizance of this where an elected member of the government is doing this and made such a “huge blunder” in a procedural lapse he doesn’t think there was any offense committed per se in that there was an attempt made which honestly even before they issued a letter came to know, so the company which they had approached they contacted the PHQ to check and had advised those people who also not do not know any anything communicated to the CP, Dimapur.
“This is not desirable, I think not just crime but it is just a matter of ignorance and overreach on the part of the DMC officials, and it is a lesson well learned for everyone in Nagaland that procurement of weapons is not good in any case like handing of having weapons in the society is not good for the society as such because weapons in anyone’s hand can be misused and the illegal’, he said at the same time reminded smuggling of arms from the police complex ,Chumoukedima, which the case is still pending.
When queried on the main accused, Michael Yanthan, scot free, with promotion in the police department, Rupin Sharma informed that the status of that case he said he is not aware of what has happened in the court trial, not sure about that but then based on that incident there was a departmental inquiry set up against Michael, and since he (Michael) is a gazetted officer, the inquiry report was submitted in case of gazetted officers the conduct rules say that it is the government which is supposed to take action that report has been submitted to the government after that, he is not aware of what Nagaland government was doing with the inquiry report.