Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio has reaffirmed the state’s war against drugs and hoped that the law enforcing agencies and other government machineries would work together to eradicate illegal substances.
Speaking at the inauguration of CCTV installation at police stations under Kohima district at North Police Station here on Wednesday, Rio said drug trafficking was taking places through Nagaland and that the whole state was vulnerable as it was located right near the major drug producing hotspots.
He disclosed that the state cabinet would officially discuss the war on drugs during its meeting and claimed that besides adults using illegal substances, there were many drug users among the school children and uniformed personnel.
He suggested the Police Department to chalk out strategies on how to control the menace or else, it would bring a bad name to the government. He assured the government’s full support in this regard.
Recalling the incident where a student leader was hacked to death due to a drug-related issue in Tizit, Rio mentioned that such incidents were clear indications that drug trafficking was now rampant in the state.
He expressed his appreciation for the Home department and other law enforcing agencies for mobilising their officials to tackle the problem despite putting themselves into dangers.
The chief minister remarked that criminals should have the fear of breaking the law and that this would be made possible if the uniformed personnel strictly enforced the law of the land without abusing it or being biased.
He urged the police personnel to ensure that criminals did not go unpunished. On that same note, he asserted that even personnel of law enforcing agencies, if found engaged in criminal activities, would face the law and would not be shown any leniency or special treatment but be penalised.
The chief minister thanked the Government of India and Ministry of Home Affairs for sanctioning Rs 3.83 crore for urbanisation and installation of CCTVs in all 83 police stations in the state.
He said the modernisation was being done effectively and now the police headquarters (PHQ) would be able to monitor all the police stations with ease.
He claimed that installation of CCTVs in all the districts had been completed and would be inaugurated on the Republic Day when legislators visited the district headquarters to unfurl the national flag. He hoped that with the installation of CCTVs, the Police department would be able to earn the trust of the people.
Rio admitted that there had been reports of atrocities, excessive use of force, false accusations, torture and similar unbecoming activities committed by police personnel in the past.
However, now, with the CCTVs in place, he mentioned the footages from these cameras could be used as evidence, which would deter police officials from abusing power and be beneficial to both the uniformed personnel and the civilians.
He said the human rights commissions were “allergic” to police atrocities and hence, in order to avoid such incidents from taking place, the Supreme Court had directed the Centre to make sure that all police stations in the country installed safety measures in the form of CCTVs.
Nagaland has lowest crime: Rio claimed that Nagaland had the lowest crime rate in the country, which was largely because communities ensured that none of its members were engaged in illegal activities and enforced strict community guidelines.
He also appreciated the police and district administration for their active vigil.
In his short speech, deputy chief minister Y Patton termed the inauguration of CCTVs as “a milestone” in the Home Department’s commitment towards transparency and security.
He said the entire exercise was carried as per the Supreme Court directive to install CCTVs to avoid abuse of power and police atrocities at police stations across the country.
He informed the gathering that 16 CCTVs were being installed at seven police stations in the state capital.
Patton, who was also in charge of Home department, pointed out that electronic surveillance would deter misuse of power vested on uniformed personnel.
He also urged all citizens to also obey the law so that they did not fall on the wrong side of law.
The programme was chaired by Kohima additional superintendent of police Relo T Aye, while the invocation was pronounced by Police Union Baptist Church pastor Rev Vesotsü Rhakho.
Welcome speech was delivered by director general of police Rupin Sharma, while Kohima superintendent of police Imnalensa proposed the vote of thanks.