CM, DY.CM & CS on same page on the issue; NPF hits out at Patton
Amid controversy generated by Nagaland Dy.CM in-charge of home, Y. Patton’s letter dated March 28, 2018 to union Home minister Rajnath Singh for appointment of an IPS officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre (Lungriading Zeliang) as DGP Nagaland over current officiating DGP Rupin Sharma IPS, it has come to light that the request was also made by Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio to Rajnath Singh (March 24, 2018) and also by chief secretary Temjen Toy (March 27) to the union home secretary. What has apparently led to resentment against the government was that the letters had described officiating DGP as lacking in experience and not fit to hold the post.
However, since the letter from Y. Patton had been “leaked” and widely published, the Dy.CM has come under scanner for a letter he wrote to union home ministry for appointment of Lungriading Zeliang as DGP Nagaland over current officiating DGP Rupin Sharma. In his rejoinder, Patton described the reports as being “completely twisted in the media” and sought to clarify the matter.
In a rejoinder issued through Dy. CM office media cell, Patton said Rupin Sharma DG (Prisons) 1992 IPS batch was allowed to take charge as DGP “purely as a stop-gap arrangement” after then DGP LL Doungel was reverted back to his parent cadre on completion of deputation period on November 24, 2017.
Patton said as per MHA guidelines an IPS officer should complete 30 years to become DGP but in special category states like Nagaland, the period can be 28 years. He said Rupin Sharma completed only 25 years in IPS in January 2017 and in the scale of ADGP but was allowed to hold charge of DGP Nagaland “as a temporary arrangement” in view of the 2018 general elections.
Patton also pointed out that Nagaland government had approached MHA even in the past for posting IPS officers as DGP as in the case with B. Kezo IPS (1978 Meghalaya cadre) and L.L. Doungel IPS (1987 W. Bengal cadre). He said both the posts of DGP and Chief Secretary were top posts in the government which are most crucial for overall development and law and order.
Patton further maintained that law and order is a responsibility of the popularly elected state government which is also responsible for selecting any suitable officer in the overall interest of the public and state and not as what has been portrayed in the media. He, therefore, said it was “very unfortunate that the confidential correspondence” of the highest level was “leaked in the social media in an unauthorised manner” and misinterpreted in some sections of the media.
CM: In his letter dated March 24, 2018 addressed to union home minister Rajnath Singh, Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio had also requested posting of an officer of “sufficient seniority” and recommended Lungriading Zeliang’s name for deputation. Rio had also pointed out that present officiating DGP Rupin Sharma who has 26 years in IPS was only a “stop gap arrangement”. He also stated that Rupin spent most of his tenure under RAW (MHA), then MEA and UN Mission in Kosovo and had limited experience of one year as SP of Peren district. Rio impressed upon Rajnath that law and order situation and challenges to policing in Nagaland required an officer of sufficient seniority.
CS: In his letter, dated March 27, 2018 addressed to the union home secretary, Nagaland chief secretary Temjen Toy, also cited the same arguments in favour of an IPS officer of sufficient seniority and one who is aware of local issues be posted as DGP Nagaland.
DGP Rupin Sharma victimized by Patton: NPF
DGP Rupin Sharma victimized by Patton: NPF
Opposition NPF party has expressed alarm over the alleged move by deputy chief minister Y Patton, who is also in charge of home department, to replace Rupin Sharma ostensibly over the latter’s refusal to allegedly make backdoor appointments in the police department as desired by the former. Patton, however, dismissed the allegation. Clarifying that the NPF was not against the officer proposed to replace the incumbent, it said that ill-designs of Patton were obvious and cautioned that the kind of changes Patton had in mind would surely not augur well for the department or the State.
NPF in a press statement alleged that Patton had a track record of flouting all norms and procedures to get his candidates appointed or allot them contract and supply works. His wayward behaviour whilst running the administration was a major source of embarrassment for the last regime and he was dropped from the TR Zeliang ministry, albeit at the fag end of the tenure, and severely reprimanded, the party claimed.
NPF said that a character like Patton was tasked with crucial and important department like home by the PDA government was worrisome. It pointed out that the only consolation, though, was that an “upright, innovative and capable officer” like Sharma was made the DGP and that Naga people, cutting across political party lines and without bias or favour, were confident that the officer would ensure rule of law and not succumb to pressures from corrupt powers-that-be.
The statement added that the innovative changes that the incumbent DGP had introduced in the police department were remarkable and he had endeared himself to the people, especially the netizens through his interactions with them on social media.
NPF said Patton’s discomfiture with such an “incorruptible and impartial officer” was understandable considering that he was known for nepotism, favouritism and unscrupulous style of functioning.
The party demanded that, in the interest of not only the department but the whole State, the PDA government must rescind Patton’s bid to replace Sharma. It also termed the apparent excuses offered by Patton to the Union Home Minister as flimsy and that it clearly exposed his mala fide intentions. Rather than look into the number of years an officer had served, he should consider the performance index of the officer, the party suggested.
The statement also reminded the PDA government about the Supreme Court ruling of 2006 in the Prakash Singh Vs Union of India case where it noted that “The Director General of Police of the State… once he has been selected for the job, he should have a minimum tenure of at least two years irrespective of his date of superannuation.”
Interestingly, NPF during its regime under chief ministers– T.R. Zeliang and Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu had also written to the Centre to consider cadre transfer/deputation of Lungriading Zeliang to Nagaland as DGP.