Nagaland DGP Rupin Sharma and others address the media in Kohima on November 11. (Morung Photo)
State Police briefs on recruitment, forensic infra, and crime investigations
Morung Express News
Kohima | November 11
The Nagaland Police, in coordination with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Government of India (GoI) will host a two-day regional conference of the Anti-Narcotics Task Forces (ANTFs) of all North Eastern states, including West Bengal and Sikkim from November 13-14 at Chümoukedima.
Informing this during a press conference held today, the Nagaland Director General of Police (DGP) Rupin Sharma said senior officers from GoI were expected to attend, including the Union Home Secretary.
However, due to the recent blast incident in Delhi, the Home Secretary may not attend.
The Director of the Narcotics Control Bureau, Special DGP of CRPF, and Inspector General–rank officers from across the region are expected during the conference.
Sharma expressed hope that the conference would allow Northeast ANTFs to deliberate on regional narcotics challenges and formulate recommendations for the Union Government.
He added that discussions would cover not only supply reduction, investigation, and enforcement, but also rehabilitation, de-addiction, and demand reduction under the national “NashaMukta Bharat” mission.
On recruitment process
Updating on the recruitment process to Nagaland Police, the DGP informed the last date for submission of applications has been extended by 15 days from November 7 to November 22 to allow candidates additional time to procure necessary documents such as indigenous certificates.
He further informed that there are two sub-categories – the number of people who have registered and the number of people who have paid the fees.
Sharma clarified that registration is free and one-time, valid for future recruitments, but only candidates who pay the Rs 300 fee are eligible to sit for the exam.
The application and the eligibility are complete only the fee of Rs 300 is paid, he added.
Responding to criticism over the fee collection, the DGP explained that creating the online portal cost nearly Rs. 40 lakh, with expenses at every stage from OTPs to SMS alerts. Terming it “slightly disturbing,” he said some people are just focused on counting the money and noted that other state recruitment processes, such as NPSC and NSSB, also charge the same Rs 300 fee.
He further explained that the police recruitment involves three phases- physical, written and interview tests unlike other exams.
The physical test alone for over 32,000 applicants requires significant logistical expenditure, he held.
Despite criticisms, Sharma highlighted that the online system has saved candidates from distant areas like Longwa and Tenning significant travel expenses.
Stating that the Police Department has already ‘cut corners’ for the recruitment process, he maintained, that chest badges are being made in-house at reduced costs to ensure funds are spent judiciously.
While welcoming constructive suggestions, Sharma asserted that criticism should be based on reasons and facts.
On forensic lab
Addressing the queries on the state’s forensic infrastructure, the DGP said that Nagaland already has a forensic lab in Dimapur, which caters to approximately 1200-1300 investigation cases per year, about half of which require forensic intervention.
While assuring that the lab is decently placed to manage the workload for 600-700 odd cases, he acknowledged that it may require workforce or some other facilities in a different format.
With the introduction of new criminal laws mandating forensic visits for cases punishable by over seven years and citing the recent murder cases in Kohima and Pimla, Shrama informed that the department is working on proposals to the State Government to enable timely visits to the spots by the forensic teams and place some people in individual districts to ensure quicker response times.
Additional DGP Sandeep Tamgadge said the state government has approved mobile forensic vans for all districts.
He stated that work and procurement orders have been issued, and once operational, the vans will address the immediate forensic needs across Nagaland.
Tamgadge also informed that the government is in the process of creating more posts for the scientific officers as well as assistants to meet the requirement.
Meanwhile, DGP Sharma emphasised that the solution lies not in setting up multiple new labs but in mobility and decentralising personnel and resources, ensuring forensic teams can reach crime scenes promptly.
On Kohima murder case
Responding to questions about the recent murder case in Kohima, the DGP confirmed that the accused have been arrested, but refused to comment on reports linking them to political affiliations.
“We are just concentrated on the criminal aspect. Everyone is a politician at heart, and it is not appropriate for us to comment on the political affiliations of anyone,” he reasoned, adding that there has been no interference or pressure on the investigators.
