A new Superintendent of Police (SP) Office building and barrack was inaugurated on Monday, marking a significant boost to police infrastructure in the district. The inauguration was graced by Deputy Chief Minister, Y Patton, who also holds the Home and Border Affairs portfolio. He was accompanied by Advisor, Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, A Pangjung Jamir, Y Mhonbemo Humtsoe, MLA, and Director General of Police (DGP), Nagaland, Rupin Sharma, IPS.
The programme began with dedicatory prayers. The barrack dedicatory prayer was led by Myingthungo Ezung, Asst. Pastor, Police Baptist Church, Wokha, followed by the office dedicatory prayer by Zuben Ngullie, Pastor, Police Baptist Church, Wokha.
After unveiling the plaques, Patton described the occasion as a “red-letter day” for Wokha district, particularly for the police department, which had long faced challenges due to inadequate infrastructure. He acknowledged Nagaland’s customary practices, which often discourage the registration of cases, and urged citizens to come forward and register cases at police stations.
He emphasized that proper reporting of crimes is essential for establishing more police stations and securing additional infrastructure. Patton credited Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio for releasing funds for the construction of the SP Office and barrack in Wokha, along with similar projects across the state, and commended the Chief Minister’s commitment to strengthening the police force.
Highlighting the need for modernization, Patton said police uniforms in Nagaland have remained unchanged since 1963 and informed that a committee has been constituted to examine the issue. He also acknowledged Wokha Village for donating land for the DEF complex, stating that the project would not have been possible without their contribution.
On the upcoming police recruitment drive scheduled to commence on January 7 across Nagaland, Patton appealed to officers and the public to ensure transparency and fairness. He cautioned against backdoor appointments and undue influence, while noting that even after the proposed recruitment, the police force would still require around 2,500 more personnel.
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In his address, DGP Rupin Sharma, IPS, underscored the critical role of district police as the first responders to emergencies and crimes. He pointed out that historically, the Nagaland Police had been structured around armed police battalions, whereas district police elsewhere in the country play the primary role in crime response.
He observed that District Executive Forces (DEFs) in Nagaland have remained weaker in terms of manpower and infrastructure and stressed that government funding for police modernization is largely based on population, number of police stations and crime reporting. Low reporting of crimes, he said, has adversely affected the growth of police infrastructure in the state.
While acknowledging the presence of customary and informal dispute resolution mechanisms, Sharma urged the public to approach the police more frequently, stating that improved reporting would result in better infrastructure, vehicles, technology and forensic capabilities.
He cautioned that police stations with minimal or no FIRs lead to inefficient utilization of manpower and public resources. “Salaries are paid for our work, so we have to work,” he remarked, urging both police personnel and citizens to strengthen the policing ecosystem around the DEFs.
Praising Wokha SP, T Relo Aye, NPS, and his team, Sharma expressed hope that the newly created infrastructure would be utilised effectively and not become a wasted expenditure.
Delivering the welcome address, Superintendent of Police, Wokha, T Relo Aye highlighted the long-standing need for a proper SP office in the district and expressed gratitude to all departments and agencies involved in completing the project. The technical report was presented by Er Jenithung Kikon, Executive Engineer (PEP), Kohima Division.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Additional Superintendent of Police, Wokha, Biren Lotha, NPS.
Also speaking to media persons on police recruitment, Deputy Chief Minister, Y Patton stated that the recruitment process has always been carried out through a committee constituted at the Police Headquarters (PHQ) and assured that there have been no irregularities in the past. He informed that the recruitment process will commence on January 7 and reiterated that it will be conducted in a transparent, free and fair manner. Patton categorically stated that neither the PHQ nor the government would allow any backdoor appointments.
DGP Rupin Sharma stated that the recruitment process would remain open and transparent, from advertisement to physical tests and results. He appealed to the public to cooperate by refraining from seeking undue favours and to report any attempts to compromise the fairness of the recruitment.
