The Rising People’s Party has submitted a representation to the Chief Minister of Nagaland appealing for the establishment of forensic science infrastructure in Nagaland and the pressing need for systemic reforms.

“The recent brutal murder of a woman in Pimla, which remains unresolved due to delays in forensic analysis, is a grim reminder of how the absence of a robust, independent forensic system jeopardizes justice. With evidence at risk of degradation or contamination during transit, and investigations stalled due to reliance on overburdened external labs, the urgency for reform cannot be overstated,” pressed the RPP in the representation.

The party raised concerns on the critically understaffed and ill-equipped Nagaland’s Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), established in 1982 and which was later relocated to Kachari Goan, Dimapur in 2018. Despite assurances and creation of 9 (nine) posts of FSL (vide letter No.POL-15/2/PR/81 Dated 7^th December 2017), the RPP highlighted that no scientific personnel have been recruited, leaving the lab dependent on police personnel—often untrained in forensic methodologies—to handle sensitive evidence.

“This not only undermines the credibility of investigations but also violates the spirit of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2024, which mandates forensic evidence for crimes punishable by seven or more years. Without local capacity, Nagaland faces an unsustainable backlog, with cases referred to external labs, delaying justice for victims and their families,” expressed the RPP.

It also viewed that the current arrangement, where the FSL operates under the Police Department, raises concerns about impartiality and scientific independence.

The party advocated the need for forensic science to be free from administrative constraints and led by qualified experts—not police officers or short-term/Crash course/Diploma trained personnel.

It also highlighted the Union Home Ministry’s 2022 directive for states to modernize FSLs further. “It is disheartening that while other states have progressed, Nagaland’s forensic infrastructure remains stagnant, despite having a pool of NET/FACT/PhD-qualified professionals eager to serve,” the RPP emphasized.

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In light of these challenges, the party proposed:

1. Establishing an autonomous Directorate of Forensic Science Lab and Research, staffed by NPSC-recruited scientists and subject-matter specialists, ensuring scientific independence and credibility.
2. Expediting the recruitment of forensic experts through NPSC without delay, leveraging the available talent pool of qualified professionals in the state.
3. Expanding FSL capabilities to include DNA analysis, toxicology, and digital forensics, utilizing the Ministry of Home Affairs’ offer of funding support for modernization.

“The Pimla case is not an isolated incident but a symptom of systemic neglect spanning four decades. Every delayed report, every outsourced analysis, and every compromised piece of evidence erodes public trust and denies justice to victims. We urge immediate intervention to transform Nagaland’s forensic capabilities, ensuring compliance with BNSS 2024.  The time for deliberation is over; the state must act now to uphold justice, restore public trust, and honor its legal obligations,” it expressed.