NPP urges government to strengthen forensic infrastructure in Nagaland

DIMAPUR — Citing growing concerns over investigation delays in major crime cases, the Nagaland unit of National People’s Party (NPP) has urged the state government to treat forensic development as a top law-and-order priority.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the party said that in several recent murder and criminal cases, investigation teams were forced to wait for hours for forensic experts to arrive from Dimapur—a delay often worsened by traffic congestion, poor road conditions and landslides.

Such situations, it stated, led to loss of crucial evidence and prolonged investigation timelines.

“The absence of decentralised forensic facilities not only weakens the justice system but also erodes public confidence in law enforcement,” the statement read.

While acknowledging Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Y Patton’s reported assurance that the government intends to strengthen forensic facilities, the NPP urged that the issue be treated with “utmost urgency and top priority.”

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The party also commended the staff of the State Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Dimapur, for their continued dedication despite limited manpower and infrastructure.

However, it stressed that the laboratory requires immediate upgrades with modern technology and specialised divisions such as DNA testing, digital forensics, toxicology, and ballistics to meet present-day investigative demands.

The NPP proposed a series of recommendations for the state government, including setting up regional forensic laboratories in Kohima and other key districts; comprehensive upgrade of Dimapur FSL with advanced facilities and logistics; recruitment of qualified forensic experts and regular training for police personnel; strengthening coordination among police, prosecution, judiciary, and forensic units; allocating a dedicated forensic science budget and prioritising it in law and order policies; and launching awareness programmes to highlight the importance of forensic evidence in justice delivery.