Dimapur at Crossroads

There was a sense of fear while walking the streets of Dimapur in broad daylight not long ago; forget about venturing out at night. The town was generally regarded as unsafe. Commercial establishments closed their shutters after sunset, not by choice but due to the volatile security environment marked by political unrest and rising crime, including killings, extortion, kidnapping, and threats. In the 1990s, the state's commercial hub effectively became a battleground for Naga political groups, as violent factional clashes peaked during this time. Civilians lived in constant fear, often caught in the crossfire between Naga factions and security forces. However, insurgency-related deaths and violence dropped dramatically in the 2000s, primarily driven by peace efforts initiated by civil society organisations and the Church, as well as the signing of ceasefire agreements between the Government of India and various Naga political groups in 1997 and subsequent years. From a sleepy transit town marked by uncertainty and violence a couple decades ago to a vibrant commercial hub considered one of the safest cities in India for women, Dimapur has come a long way. The evolving nightlife, evident in food carts that operate until daybreak in once-sensitive areas like the New Market, is a perfect testament to the improved law and order situation—a stark contrast to what was witnessed a few years ago. Unfortunately, just as people are beginning to feel a sense of safety, a spate of gunpoint robberies by unidentified assailants has instilled fear and anxiety among the public, bringing back horrific memories of the 1990s and early 2000s.

Recent reports of gunpoint robberies targeting residents in Dimapur have raised concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of law enforcement. In one incident, a 33-year-old woman was robbed near her residence on April 13, while a similar incident involving a man occurred just seven days later, triggering public outrage and condemnations from civil society organisations. It is disturbing that miscreants can perpetrate criminal activities in broad daylight and public spaces carrying firearms. Such crimes that threaten to disrupt the hard-earned peaceful environment must be nipped in the bud. However, this is easier said than done. An increase in crime is often linked to underlying socio-economic issues, including unemployment, inequality, income disparity, erosion of values, moral decline, and lack of proper education. Or it could be a case of preventive mechanisms not keeping pace with evolving threats. So, to address the root causes of crime, a multi-faceted approach is necessary. This should include strengthening law enforcement, timely arrests and penalisation of offenders, active community participation, and creation of avenues for livelihoods. Dimapur can restore a sense of safety through decisive intervention and sustained coordinated efforts. The recent robberies should serve as a wake-up call for action.