Major culling expected in state police department

More than 1000 ‘excess employees’ reported to be engaged in said department [caption id="attachment_157080" align="alignleft" width="300"] Kuzholuzo Nienu[/caption] Kohima Bureau Kohima, Jan. 2 (EMN): The department of Home which is reported to have more than a thousand excess staffing is likely to cancel the appointment of some police personnel soon in an exercise to equate its strength to the sanctioned figure. This was stated by the recently appointed minister for Home, Kuzholuzo Nienu, on Jan. 2 while interacting with reporters following his first meeting with the department officials including the Director General of Police (DGP) Rupin Sharma, at the state police headquarters in Kohima. The minister said although the figures keep fluctuating constantly with some people retiring and their positions being filled coupled with new appointments, the department currently has approximately 1600 excess appointments. With the surplus figure, he said the department was contemplating on cancelling some few appointments, but only in consultation with legal experts so that the department does not face any legal issues. On the problem of influx of illegal immigrants, Nienu said this was a very complicated issue, so the department needed more time to study and bring out a policy to this regard. He informed that online ILP application will be made effective in the near future. Supplementing to this, DGP Sharma said the present system where people have to apply ILP in person makes the database of ILP holders very scattered. He is of the opinion that an online application would make for quick maintenance of ILP database while facilitating people to apply for ILP online. The police chief also explained that Dimapur is not covered by the ILP, due to the Bengal Eastern Frontal Regulations (BEFR), so the department was trying to study the legal implications of extending ILP to Dimapur. “Till the time that is being done or considered, we will try to strengthen our existing ILP mechanism throughout the state so that illegal immigrants can be curtailed and checked,” Sharma stated. He also affirmed that there was a proposal with the government for issuing ILPs online and also barcoding of ILP, which, he said, would help in better checking of ILP holders in the state such as verifying or authenticating the permits by any police officer with a barcode reader or a mobile phone. With regard to former Nagaland cop and consultant of the state police’s motor transport wing, MKR Pillai who was charged with disproportionate assets case by Income Tax (IT) sleuths in 2016, the minister said he needed to further study the case. On the talks that Pillai was still using a police registered vehicle, the DGP flatly denied them, saying, Pillai’s contract with the department was terminated and he had no right to use a government vehicle. On the demand by the Rengmas for creation of Tseminyu district and the proposed indefinite total bandh by Rengma organizations from Jan. 3 onwards, Nienu said as far as the creation of another district is concerned, if the particular area fulfils the ‘criteria’ then the government has no option but to give them. “What I am made to understand is, Noklak was taken up, Rengmas couldn’t come, so there must be some hurdles or it should have come together,” he stated, adding, “But if in case, they (Rengmas) fulfil the criteria then they have every right to get (their district)”. When queried on his stand as the state home minister towards the demand of the state government on ‘solution before election’ and of some sections of the people on ‘solution, not election’, Nienu said the state government will go by the Centre’s decision. “In case they (government of India) want to bring a solution before the elections, we welcome it, but as a political party, we (NPF) will go ahead preparing for the elections,” he said. He also pointed out that the Election Commission of India is an autonomous body, and opined that the 2018 state assembly election is imminent. On the overall law and order situation in Nagaland for the year 2017, DGP Sharma said except for the time during ULB issue in the early part of the year, the past year had been peaceful ‘by and large’. On being queried about his foremost task as he takes on the role of minister of the police department, Nienu said, “Restoring the respect, honour and dignity of the department... The department’s interest will be my priority, and not individual interest. Working on professionalism, protecting the interest of the department..” While acknowledging that much could not be achieved during his brief tenure, with the general elections slated to be held in two months’ time, he said he wanted to get more acquainted with the department and know the functioning of the department so that in the near future, given a chance, his government would try to restructure the police department. “The department has lost its honour and respect, so what we have to do is bring back that respect and honour to the department and the police officers. The officers are very capable and given a chance, they can be the best serving officers in the country,” Nienu stated. He also informed that the department’s Threat Perception Committee will be sitting on Jan. 5 and review the ‘threat perception’ of all the VVIPs, VIPs and officers. Towards this, he sought cooperation from all the legislators and heads of departments who are being given personal bodyguards as some personnel would have to be withdrawn for the ensuing elections. With regard to transfer and posting of officers, he said election guidelines would be upheld: three years posting limit will be maintained, ‘home-posting’ will not be allowed therefore the pending transfer/posting would be initiated at the earliest. He also emphasized that rationality will be maintained and equal tribal composition should be kept in all the district headquarters.