The Kohima police released the half-yearly crime report on July 4, 2016 and it does indicate the zeal of the Kohima police department in fighting crime and has done a commendable job. Other than those roles normally under the purview of the Excise and Prohibition department with seizures of various contrabands a few results that stand out are the recovery of stolen vehicles and the number of arrests made for various crimes. The police in the state is still viewed by the majority as a force to enforce rules and regulation alien to our culture. Over the years its functions were ignored wherever required and in some cases misused when completely unnecessary. The nature of the formation of the state, with its troubled past, and the continuing political issue is one of the factors to blame. Throughout history the primary duty of the police force is to maintain order. The earliest forms of police force were recorded in ancient China, ancient Greece and Rome. Moreover, it was always the citizens who employed the police through their subscriptions or tax that directly or indirectly paid for the upkeep of the police force. The modern age especially since late nineteenth century, police forces started to function not only to maintain order but also to fight and investigate crimes. Slowly the image as well as the function of the police evolved to the present form.
On the other hand, in Nagaland the police was never viewed as someone employed by the citizens to keep order but more as a force that came into being because of the political decisions made by the leaders and to enforce the new rules and regulations. Prior to statehood the only other police force that the Nagas came in contact were the APs and it had a very negative impact with more of bad memories especially during the turbulent fifties. The police are there “to protect us and are part of us” is a statement that does not find much place in the state even after fifty years of statehood. In any other place in the world the presence of police instils a sense of security however in the Nagaland it still instils a sense of fear.
The ongoing political issue with the rise of armed political groups is also the major factor that disabled the role of the police in the state. The police force was never given a chance to perform its actual duties, gradually it became more and more regimental and more like a paramilitary force. On the other hand it also ushered in the era of modern day Praetorian Guards with so many VVIPs of X/Y/Z category security setups.
With such prevailing ground realities the police force was also disillusioned to some extent. There were instances earlier when citizens went to the police station to report car thefts, and the on-duty police were completely helpless and clueless to go about without any structured system to follow. Some personnel even went to the extent of recalling about their own two-wheelers being stolen right in front of their noses and still unable to trace it!
But in spite of all the difficulties, there are indeed very enterprising, dedicated, honest and hard working police personnel in the state fighting against odds to fight, prevent crime and maintain order. It is time a complete overhaul of the police force with modernisation and some major changes that suits our local context is required. It will result in making it more citizen friendly and naturally a more effective force.
