Nagaland DGP appeals for information on fugitive pastor Robe
Nagaland DGP appeals for information on fugitive pastor Robert Kikon
Director General of Police (DGP) Nagaland, Rupin Sharma, on Wednesday appealed to the public to share any information related to the whereabouts of Robert Kikon who had fled the country following allegations of sexual misbehaviour with young boys
Rupin Sharma speaks to journalists at Chümoukedima on Wednesday.
(EM Images)
DIMAPUR — Director
General of Police (DGP) Nagaland, Rupin Sharma, on Wednesday appealed to the
public to share any information related to the whereabouts of Robert Kikon, a
former senior pastor at Father's House Church in Chümoukedima.
Kikon has been evading arrest for five months now since he
went into hiding in October last year.
Speaking to journalists at Chümoukedima, the DGP maintained
that the authorities were doing their best to locate the now-disgraced
preacher.
At the same time, he appealed to the public to share
information—assuring that their identities would be kept confidential—“so that
the process of deportation or extradition can begin.”
Asked about the situation in Khehoyi area, Sharma informed
that they have visited the location to “assess its suitability for law and
order and security measures.” He reiterated that while internal matters within
the camp or faction are the group’s concern, they must not disrupt public
order.
Asserting that Nagaland Police, Assam Rifles, and the
security forces were working together to maintain law and order, he appreciated
the civil society organisations for advocating peace.
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Regarding the Dimapur Municipal Council chairperson's
reported attempt to procure arms, the DGP said that there was no offence
committed, but an attempt was made.
According to him, they became aware of the situation when
the arms company contacted the police for verification. Consequently, Nagaland
Police advised the company against proceeding with the business.
Sharma said that it was more a case of ignorance and
overreach by the DMC chief than a crime.
When queried about the case of Michael Yanthan, the prime
suspect in the illegal arms and ammunition trade racket at Chümoukedima Police
Complex, he said that a departmental inquiry was initiated against the
officer.
The report has been submitted to the government, which is
responsible for taking action as per conduct rules, he said, adding that he is
not aware of any further steps taken by the Nagaland government.
Stronger backbone
Earlier in the day, the DGP, while speaking as special guest
at the 52nd general conference of Nagaland Police Service Association in
Chümoukedima, described the state police as the backbone of Nagaland.
“And if this backbone is weak, it will not be able to stand
up to any difficulty or situation,” he reminded, adding that “there is definitely
a lot of scope for improving the backbone.”
Sharma noted that senior officers above the rank of
commandant are mostly in a managerial role and the lower-rank officers are more
in touch with the public.
“They have to maintain that command and structure; that is
why the NPS officers are very important in the structure of the Nagaland
Police, as they are the backbone, which links the head with the bottom of the
police department,” he said.
Sharma also highlighted that every organisation has room for
improvement and maintained that effective communication requires two-way
interaction. He added that officers should provide feedback, not just receive
instructions.
Special invitee, IGP (ADM) Joseph Hesso, reflected on his 37
years in service and classified his experience into two parts: pre-ceasefire
and post-ceasefire.
Hesso said that the pre-ceasefire days, even though
stressful, were much better for them, as they were respected and regarded by
every section of society because they needed their help.
He also shared that the then government had come up with a
policy that all those who were detained under the National Security Act (NSA)
would be transferred out of the state, and this policy was really feared by all
sections of people.
Even extortionists and vehicle lifters used to be detained
under the NSA back then, he recalled.
The IGP asserted that the transfer of detainees outside the
state marked a turning point in improving the investigation, as the lawyers
sought loopholes in the investigation, and even when the court started
questioning the FIRs and the case records, they had to pull up their sleeves
and had to improve their investigations.
The conference was followed by a business session.
