“Despite what the Nagaland Police has achieved till date, there are still many things or works required to be done and that the same could be achieved only when the uniformed personnel are together in unity,” DGP Rupin Sharma
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
Nagaland’s Director General of Police (DGP), Rupin Sharma, on Saturday said that Nagaland police, which is one of the police forces in the country having “Presidential Colours” has a “glorious history” for a longtime.
Speaking before the uniformed personnel and officers after unveiling the “Police Memorial” at the Nagaland Armed Police Training Centre (NAPTC) Complex, Choumoukedima, Sharma, however maintained that despite what the Nagaland police have achieved till date, there are still many things or works required to be done and that the same could be achieved only when the uniformed personnel are together in unity.
Stating that the police memorial was an effort though different units have some form of memorial while most of the units observe their police commemoration day every year, the DGP was of the view that to commemorate the day with the units from all over the districts of the state, a centralized memorial for Nagaland police should be a feature for a state level day for which all should work together towards the same in identifying an appropriate location.
The DGP, Nagaland, while citing that state-level police commemoration day is being observed by different states throughout the country, said that the observation of the day could be made a “grandeur affair” where all units of Nagaland police participate and celebrate the day together, an opportunity where all the uniformed personnel assemble together to show others in Nagaland and beyond that it is the “Khaki”, the uniformed personnel of Nagaland which binds them all together cutting across tribalism, clans, villages, and religion.
Rupin Sharma added that for having a “central Nagaland police memorial”, his office would try to make out a method for which he requested the DIG (Training) and Commissioner of Police (CP), Dimapur, to identify a location that could be shortlisted for which from his office would try to see whatever necessary aid or help is required.
He suggested that the memorials inscribe the names of the martyrs on a brass plaque for which something could be planned out by next year before the Nagaland police commemoration day by citing that the kind of memorials should not be only in stone but need to be in a “living moments” for those who had sacrificed their lives by coming out with booklets, pamphlets, or a book on Nagaland police with a brief account of the contributions made by the martyrs in the line of duty and their actual incidents which led to their “fall” that could set an example to the young jawans.
Mentioning that the Nagaland Police has done “very well and very fast” in executing their duties for many years, Rupin Sharma said that the Nagaland Police is such including the jawans, all need to be “reoriented” themselves by stating that the basic training is good but adaptation to new technology and new methods of crime management needs lots of designed while he personally felt the need to do more on that aspect for which he expects all the jawans and the police personnel of Nagaland to take trainings very seriously.
“I know we have not taken any recruitments for the last 3 or 4 years, but we are trying to bring out a syllabus for the fresh recruits and also will incorporate some new training methods,” he maintained while also adding that training curricula from the NC level up to SI, and inspector would be given for which all should be prepared.
Besides this, Rupin Sharma disclosed that recently the parliament of India has introduced three new criminal laws for which he informed all the personnel of Nagaland police to be trained on the new laws as most of the laws and provisions are of the same but there are little changes in order to distinguish and understand as the unlike other departments, police department has to function according to the law.
He urged the personnel including the jawans, officers, and senior officers to partake in the training for the new law to be given as these changes to be made are in the process.
Also stating that police is one such department which does not bring any development as such in the state, however, the DGP articulated that its duty is to provide safer platform in the society so that the development and other developmental activities could take place in the state or in any region.
“Our (police) presence can be felt only when we are absent from the scene but police’s duty is very important just like a missionary, getting nothing but executing duties without any credit,” he said.
And in this regard, the DGP disclosed that when one talk about the credit, rewards, or commendations of the Nagaland police personnel, PHQ is trying that the “rewards” which has been giving away, the system would be changed for which a committee would be set-up for giving away the rewards to well performing personnel immediately instead of after six months or a year like earlier years.
In his speech, commandant, NAPTC, Choumoukedima, Ben Longkumer, said that the history of Nagaland police was one of a “glorious past”, a past that the uniformed personnel are truly proud of with many stories coupled with valour, courage, loyalty, patriotism, heroism, bravery, and gallantry.
Citing that the Police Memorial (Lest We Forget) is first one amongst in Nagaland, and definitely not the last, Ben Longkumer shared that the team NAPTC has always wanted and desired to build a befitting police memorial to appropriately pay homage and befitting honour to the “brave hearts” of Nagaland police personnel who had made supreme sacrifices while in the line of duty, the police memorial is NAPTC’s modest and humble contributions yet a befitting tribute to the valiant sacrifices of Nagaland police.
He said that in NAPTC, the personnel aspire to make a difference, are passion driven, and remain firm on its conviction and that the police memorial within the NAPTC complex is a proud testimony which marks the completion of fulfillment of the long-felt desire, hope, and dreams that all at the NAPTC had and shared and added that the memorial stands tall which became a reality all because of the “unity and strength” of the personnel.
Terming that the day is “symbolic” as it is not only about the valiant sacrifices or achievements made by the Nagaland police over the years, but it is also a “gentle reminder” for all that the personnel are known for their “brave hearts” and owe a lot to them.
Maintaining that the “debts” to the heroic men and women who made their supreme sacrifices can never be fully repaid, Ben Longkumer also said that their sacrifices would never be forgotten while adding that the police memorial reflects shared collective feelings as it gives all a solemn and meaningful lives and at the same time stated that it is a tribute, a dedication, and a reminder to all “alive and moving” to the memories.
Also adding that policing is a noble profession which is a service and an honour for all the personnel who heed the call and responsibilities that comes within, the NAPTC commandant shared that the personnel chose the profession not for themselves but for their people, communities, state and for the country and the values—security service, and sacrifice enshrined in the Nagaland police motto has constantly driven personnel both men and women moves in the heart of the “brave hearts”.
“This memorial is a big significance to truly honour the valour and sacrifices and the stories of our brave hearts must be shared to keep the legacy of their services and their memories alive”, he said while also adding that “heroes never die but they live forever in the minds and hearts of their people forever”.
Further, Ben Longkumer, hoped that the police memorial would not only be for the wives of the martyrs to pay their tribute but for all to serve as a reminder to understand the true meaning of public service and the “high price” that is being served by the police personnel with dedication.
The programme chaired by ABI Mhabemo Lotha, SM, NAPTC, saw Dy Comdt (2IC & QM), NAPTC, Limakokba Sangtam, proposing vote of thanks, while the dedicatory prayer was pronounced by pastor, Police Baptist Church (PBC), Choumoukedima, Rev A Temsu Longkumer.