Here is an open letter to Director General of Police Nagaland and Commissioner of Police over mishandling of recovered mobile phone and threat to public safety.
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Subject: Grave concern over mishandling of recovered mobile phone, contradiction in cyber awareness policing, and threat to public safety.
Respected Sir/Madam,
Through this open letter, as a concerned citizen, deeply disturbed by the recent incident involving one of our Naga sisters, Ms. Cecien Tep, whose mobile phone was lost and later traced—not through effective police follow-up, but through her own effort and awareness, despite having filed a formal FIR.
At the outset, I wish to acknowledge and appreciate Ms. Cecien Tep for her courage, presence of mind, and technical awareness. Her initiative reflects the growing awareness among citizens; however, it also exposes a painful reality—that even after approaching the police, victims are often compelled to fend for themselves.
What is far more alarming is the subsequent revelation that police personnel had already traced and recovered the said mobile phone, yet instead of returning it to the rightful owner, it was allegedly sold to a non-local labourer. If established, this act goes far beyond negligence and amounts to a serious abuse of authority, criminal breach of trust, and a direct betrayal of public confidence.
This incident raises serious and unavoidable questions. How can trained police personnel, who regularly conduct cyber awareness programmes, digital safety campaigns, and public outreach on cybercrime prevention, engage in actions that are fundamentally contradictory to those very teachings? What assurance do citizens have that filing an FIR will protect their rights if recovered property is quietly disposed of? How many similar cases may have occurred without the knowledge of victims or the public?
This issue is not merely about one lost phone. A mobile phone today contains banking and UPI applications, personal photographs, private communications, official documents, Aadhaar and PAN details, and other sensitive personal data. If such a recovered phone were to fall into the hands of criminals, cyber fraudsters, extortionists, or anti-social elements, the consequences could be devastating.
Identity theft, financial fraud, blackmail, and threats to personal safety particularly for women are real and immediate dangers. When those entrusted with public safety and cybercrime prevention are allegedly involved in actions that enable such risks, public trust in law enforcement is severely shaken.
There exists a dangerous contradiction that demands urgent attention. On one hand, the police warn citizens about cyber threats. On the other hand, some within the system allegedly create those very threats by illegally selling recovered electronic devices.
In light of the above, I respectfully but firmly urge your offices to initiate an immediate, transparent, and time-bound inquiry against the police personnel involved in tracing, recovering, and allegedly selling the recovered mobile phone. Criminal proceedings, wherever applicable, must be ensured without delay or institutional shielding. Clear Standard Operating Procedures for handling recovered electronic devices must be strictly enforced, with proper documentation and accountability. An official public clarification is also necessary to restore confidence among citizens, especially women and digitally vulnerable individuals.
This letter is not written to undermine the police institution, but to safeguard its credibility and moral authority. Failure to act decisively in such matters will only deepen public distrust and encourage further misconduct.
I trust that your esteemed offices will take this matter seriously and act in the interest of justice, transparency, and public safety.
Yours sincerely,
A. Shyerhunlo Lorin
A Concerned Citizen