Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Nov. 8: For the first time in Nagaland the state’s police will be launching ‘tourist police’ before this year’s edition of the Hornbill Festival begins on December 1. The ‘tourist police’ will be deployed to maintain safety and security to visitors during the festival. This is the first time in Nagaland that a dedicated enforcement for tourists is being employed
“It is actually the brainchild of the IGP (Range). Due to short manpower we are still looking for it. It is something new so we are deliberating on how exactly to go about and can be known only during training,” Vekhosa Chakhesang, senior police superintendent of Kohima told Eastern Mirror on Thursday.
“So far we have earmarked about 60 to 70 policemen and they will undergo specialised training. We are going to launch the squad before the Hornbill Festival.”
The decision was taken during a meeting comprising police and district administration officers; and village councils, youth organisations, and stakeholders in regard to preparation for the Hornbill Festival, which is to be held in Kohima.
According to the Inspector General of Police (range), Nagaland, Sonia Singh, the need for a tourist security squad was felt as the number of tourists, both foreign and domestic visitors, is increasing every year not only to the popular annual winter festival, but throughout the year.
“The whole contingent will be from our regular police, they will be given special training. Nagaland is a place where we have tourist not only during Hornbill festival but throughout the year so we are trying to make tourists as accessible as possible with the police for help and guide; we will be giving out helpline numbers in some days,” Singh said.
The officer added that the authorities were planning to employ the squad for the entire year if they get good response or if the plan turns out to be successful.
