Deputy CM Y Patton says Nagaland Police needs 2,500 more personnel, stresses fair recruitment and faster modernisation of force
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WOKHA — Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton on Monday said the Nagaland Police would require at least 2,500 additional personnel even after the upcoming statewide recruitment drive, while stressing the need for transparency and fairness in the recruitment process and accelerated police modernisation.
Addressing a gathering during the inauguration of a new Superintendent of Police (SP) office building and barrack of Wokha District Executive Force (DEF), Patton said the police recruitment drive scheduled to begin on January 7 must be conducted in a free and fair manner. He cautioned the public against seeking backdoor appointments or undue favours and appealed to officers involved in the process to uphold integrity.
Later, speaking to media persons, Patton reiterated that a recruitment committee at Police Headquarters oversees the entire process, from advertisement to physical tests and declaration of results, and assured that there would be no scope for irregular appointments.
Patton also highlighted the need for modernisation of the police force, noting that Nagaland Police has continued with khaki uniforms since 1963. He said changes were necessary to reflect evolving policing requirements, adding that the director general of police (DGP) had informed him that a committee had already been constituted to examine the matter.
The inauguration of the SP office and barrack was attended by Y Mhonbemo Humtsoe, MLA, and Rupin Sharma, DGP Nagaland. Advisor for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources A Pangjung Jamir was also present.
Describing the occasion as a significant milestone for Wokha district, Patton said the police department had long suffered from inadequate infrastructure. He credited the support of the DGP and his team for the completion of the project and acknowledged Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio for releasing funds for the construction of police buildings across districts.
Patton also pointed out that customary practices in Nagaland often discourage formal registration of cases. He urged citizens to come forward and lodge complaints at police stations, stating that higher case registration would strengthen the justification for additional police stations and improved infrastructure.
He further expressed gratitude to Wokha village for donating land for the DEF SP office complex, stating that the project would not have been possible without community support.
In his address, DGP Rupin Sharma said district police forces serve as first responders to crimes and emergencies, but observed that Nagaland Police has historically been structured around armed battalions rather than district policing. He said District Executive Forces in the state remain comparatively weak in manpower and infrastructure.
Sharma explained that funding for police modernisation is linked to factors such as population size, number of police stations and crime reporting.
Low registration of cases, he said, has adversely affected infrastructure development, including access to vehicles, technology and forensic capabilities.
While acknowledging the role of customary dispute resolution mechanisms, the DGP urged greater public engagement with the police. He cautioned that police stations with minimal or no FIRs result in inefficient utilisation of manpower and resources.
Sharma also expressed hope that the newly inaugurated infrastructure in Wokha would be fully utilised, praising SP Wokha T Relo Aye and his team for their efforts.
Earlier, SP Wokha T Relo Aye highlighted the long-standing need for a proper SP office in the district and thanked all departments and agencies involved in completing the project. The technical report was presented by Jenithung Kikon, Executive Engineer (PEP), Kohima Division.