DIMAPUR — The Director General of Police (DGP) of Nagaland, Rupin Sharma, stated that the only means by which the Nagaland Police can establish the supremacy of law in the state and enhance their image and trust in the public's minds is through improved investigation.
He said this while speaking at the state-level workshop on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act on Saturday at Rhododendron Hall, Police Complex, Chümoukedima.
Describing Nagaland as an armed police-centric state, he said that there are 15 battalions with around 16,000 personnel in total and noted that 70% of the police are involved in law and order duties rather than investigation work.
According to him, there is a need to reinvent, where better professionalism and investigation will be integrated into the police and without such improvements, success cannot be achieved.
Stressing the need to bring the law and the legal justice system closer to the masses, he mentioned that in cases and crimes against women or children, there are Supreme Court guidelines to protect the identities of the victims. However, he noted, there is currently no systematic, institutionalised effort in place to protect the identities of these individuals.
He emphasised that victims should not be stigmatised, and the only way to change this is to shift the mindset of society. He suggested putting a system in place where people are encouraged to report crimes while maintaining a degree of secrecy, not only for the victim but also for their family and other witnesses.
He added that there also needs to be a system for protecting the identities of informants and witnesses, not just within the police force but also in their interactions with the judicial system.
Mentioning that the government of India has adopted three new criminal laws, he opined that adopting these new laws is crucial.
With regard to the issue of drugs, he said that they need to be addressed, at times, in a very pragmatic and practical manner, especially concerning individuals who pose a menace to society.
Sharma shared that so far they have been able to narrow down to about 10 suspected individuals on the Myanmar side who would probably be the suppliers of drugs to Manipur and Nagaland. Additionally, there are around a hundred individuals procuring the drugs on the Indian side as the first point of contact.
While numerous combinations make tracing difficult, it doesn't mean the link to the original suppliers or bulk distributors in Myanmar can't be established, he said, adding however that not every link will always possess drugs, which complicates the process.
Regarding bail petitions of the accused, he noted that there is often insufficient time for the police or prosecution to respond to bail petitions. He said that, if given the opportunity, they would probably try to convince the court not to release the accused.
He stated that even if release is deemed necessary, it must be ensured that they comply with the law and don't tamper with evidence, witnesses, or engage in further crime. He also revealed that in most cases, the accused persons, after being granted bail, leave the jurisdiction of the court.
During the event, Sharma also released two books titled "Law in Motion: Cyber Crimes" and "Law in Motion." He shared that these books were published so that the public could understand the roles and duties of the police, explained in layman's terms.
Governor highlights challenges
Addressing the gathering during the workshop, Governor of Nagaland, La. Ganesan, said that Nagaland is not immune to the complexities and intricacies of the criminal justice landscape.
While POCSO is a ray of hope, he claimed that a number of obstacles prevent the law's effective implementation and enforcement.
Ganesan stated that the NDPS Act, 1985, aims to fight drug abuse and trafficking. However, it is imperative that they confront the local obstacles that impede its efficacy.
Among the challenges facing the criminal justice system, he said, are the geographical constraints that hinder access to remote areas, the scarcity of resources and infrastructure, and the cultural nuances that influence perceptions of crime and justice.
He added that training and capacity-building of law enforcement personnel, judiciary, and medical professionals should be prioritised to ensure a more effective response to cases. Furthermore, he emphasised leveraging technology and innovation to overcome geographical barriers and streamline processes for accessing justice.