Nagaland DGP appeals for information on fugitive pastor Robert Kikon

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  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.
  
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• Kikon has been evading arrest for five months now since he went into hiding in October last year.
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• Speaking to journalists at Chümoukedima, the DGP maintained that the authorities were doing their best to locate the now-disgraced preacher.
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• 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.”
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• Sharma said that it was more a case of ignorance and overreach by the DMC chief than a crime.
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• 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.
  
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• 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.
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• Stronger backbone
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• 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.
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• “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.”
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• 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.
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• “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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• Even extortionists and vehicle lifters used to be detained under the NSA back then, he recalled.
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• 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.
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• The conference was followed by a business session.