DGP Rupin Sharma, IPS visited Wokha DEF and held a meeting and interaction session was held on August 17 at the S.P. Conference Hall, attended by unit officers, SDPOs, Company Commanders, and representatives of various CSOs from Wokha District, including the Lotha Hoho, Lotha Eloe Hoho, Lotha Students Union, and Lotha Youth Hoho. The Village Council Chairman of Wokha Village, Dobashis, Deputy Commissioner Vineet Kumar, IAS, and officials from the Forest Department were also present.
During his address, DGP Sharma praised Wokha S.P. Aotula T. Imchen, IPS, for her commendable performance during the recent elections. He addressed concerns raised by the CSOs, emphasising that crime is a universal issue and that the number of registered cases does not necessarily reflect the efficiency of the police or the state of community peace. He also reminded the officers that their duty is not limited to registering cases that are reported but also includes actively identifying where crimes are occurring.
Lauding the Wokha Police for their effective preventative measures, he noted a slight decrease in crime registration numbers compared to the previous year, while highlighting an improvement in policing quality. He announced a new patrolling system across Nagaland, reducing patrol intervals from six hours to two hours and increasing coverage to 300 locations throughout the state. This strategic overhaul aims to bolster public safety by concentrating on key areas and deterring criminal activities. The DGP emphasised that all police officers are duty-bound to uphold the law, warning that any officer found aiding criminals will face severe consequences.
Regarding the border dispute with Assam, raised by a member of a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), DGP Sharma pointed out that one cannot choose their neighbours, whether they are favourable or not. He assured that both the Nagaland Government and Police are committed to addressing arising issues. However, he stressed that such conflicts should be resolved through dialogue and interpersonal engagement, which can transform adversaries into allies. He highlighted the importance of protecting one’s rights but urged greater efforts to improve relations with neighbouring villages in Assam, cautioning that long-term benefits could be jeopardised if peaceful relations are not maintained.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
On the topic of the Inner Line Permit (ILP), DGP Sharma acknowledged concerns about recent developments in Bangladesh but reported no significant influx of Bangladeshi immigrants into Nagaland. He mentioned that the Nagaland Government is considering digitising the ILP process to enhance its efficiency.
Lastly, he encouraged the public to contact him via social media platforms such as Facebook or Twitter with information about drugs or other crimes. He assured that any messages sent through personal messenger would be promptly addressed by him or other police personnel. Additionally, he announced that civilians or police officers who assist in apprehending drug dealers would receive a reward of Rs. 1,000, with the guarantee that the source’s identity would remain confidential.
In her welcome address, Aotula T. Imchen, IPS, Superintendent of Police (S.P.) Wokha, highlighted the gathering’s purpose of strengthening the synergy between the police and CSOs and soliciting input to improve law and order and maintain peace within the community.
The CSOs of Wokha also raised several concerns, including the drug menace, the ILP issue, and border disputes.
The programme was chaired by K. Soriso, NPS, Additional Superintendent of Police (Addl. S.P.) Wokha, with a welcome address by Aotula T. Imchen, IPS, S.P. Wokha, a crime overview presented by Sangthing Khiam, NPS, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Wokha, and a vote of thanks delivered by the chairperson.
