DGP issue: Acharya promises to relay NPRAAF’s opposition

Dimapur, June 24 (EMN): Alleging that the government of Nagaland had “worked overtime” to ensure removal of Rupin Sharma as the state’s director general of police (DGP), the activist Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) has suggested that if the former were to “work with the same stamina for the welfare of the state” Nagaland would then surely be progressive. A press release from the group on Sunday informed that the message was delivered to the governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya, during a meeting with him on June 22 in Kohima. It stated that the group had ‘explained to the governor that the Supreme Court had not drawn a line between acting, temporary or permanent DGP in its judgement.’ “Therefore, the point of contention by the government that acting or temporary DGP can be removed notwithstanding Supreme Court ruling is wrong understanding of the apex court ruling. NPRAAF expressed surprised to the governor that, just barely a day after Shri. Renchamo Kikon, IPS, was asked to take charge as the new DGP, the Home Ministry, govt. of India, had issued an appointment order of another new DGP of Nagaland who is an IPS officer of Chhattisgarh cadre in view of tremendous pressure from the state government. ‘NPRAAF pointed out that the govt. worked overtime to replace Rupin Sharma, IPS, as DGP for reasons best known to the govt. If the government of Nagaland works with the same stamina for the welfare of the state, surely Nagaland will become very progressive,’ it stated. According to the group, the NPRAAF expressed ‘anguish’ to the governor that Sharma was “threatened by government spokesman of disciplinary action alleging falsely that he has orchestrated protest in his support.” It stated to have requested the governor not to allow the government to make ‘intimidating statement basing on unfounded allegation.’  The governor, according to the group, assured to ‘take up the matter’ with the chief minister of Nagaland and the union Home Ministry ‘immediately’. The NPRAAF also submitted a memorandum to the governor.