Apropos a news item by one Manoj Anand captioned "Nagaland Police snubs NIA" that appeared in some of the leading National Print Media on 09.07.2020, the Nagaland Police is constraint to issue this Press statement to make it known to all that the content of the news items is not only factually incorrect but appears to be malicious in intent aimed at creating misunderstanding and straining the excellent rapport that Nagaland Police has with all regional and national law enforcing and investigating agencies. To dispel all doubts and misgiving, the Nagaland Police would like to present the sequence of events as it actually transpired and which is also vouched by the premier investigating agency in question. It may also be stated that, the NIA through the office of the DIG NIA, Kolkata has given a clarification to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Gol, that the news report is false. The NIA HQ Guwahati has also expressed regret to the Commissioner of Police, Dimapur over the fabricated article published in some National Print media.
1. That on 05.07.2020 following a telephonic intimation to, Nagaland Police, that a team of officer from NIA Guwahati will be arriving Dimapur oh 06.07.2020 in connection with DPR PS DMR Case No. 0074/2020 Dated 05.07.2020, necessary arrangements for the NIA team in terms of logistics, accommodation, escorts/ security and transportation was put in place by Nagaland Police. This information was followed by a formal Fax Message received from SP NIA Guwahati vide MISC/ 2020/9366 Dated 05.07.2020 requesting to examine the apprehended accused persons on the aforementioned case.
2. That on 06.07.2020, the NIA team led by a Dy SP, NIA arrived Dellai Gate, Dimapur. Upon arrival, arrangements were made to take the NIA Team to Covid Hospital, Dimapur for necessary medical screening and Covid-19 testing as per the laid down Medical SOP for any person coming from outside. It may be stated that accommodation for the NIA team at the Central Police officers' Mess, Chumukedima, escorts at Dellai Gate and other security arrangement was arranged by Nagaland Police. However, the NIA team expressed their inability to await until their test results and hence did not enter Nagaland but waited at Dellai Gate after giving a written requisition to CP Dimapur for copies of case related documents vide No.MISC/Enquiry/2020/9368 Dated 06.07.2020, which was promptly made available to SP NIA Guwahati and received by the Dy SP NIA who arrived Dellai Gate on 06.07.2020. After receiving all the relevant case records and documents from Dimapur Police, the NIA team returned back to Guwahati from Dellai Gate.
3. That on 08.07.2020, a second NIA team led by another Dy SP NIA arrived Dimapur and after being subjected to mandatory Covid-19 screening and testing at District Hospital Dimapur as per medical protocol, they were taken to be lodged at Central Police Officers' Mess, Chumukedima addressing all their security concerns under police escort. Even their place of stay was secured putting necessary security arrangement in place.
4. That on being tested negative and on receipt of medical clearance from Chief Medical Officer, Dimapur, the said NIA team was given access to the accused and they proceeded with their line of interrogation.
5. Nagaland Police, reiterates that the new item is baseless, false and fabricated making a distorted presentation of what actually transpired. Nagaland police have always been sensitive on matters of National security and have been extending cooperation to all law enforcing agencies. The State police have even in the past extended all cooperation to national investigating agencies and even investigating agencies of various States. The Nagaland Police shall not be found wanting and shall always stand true to its motto of "Security, Service, Sacrifice". This was stated in a release by SP Crime & PRO, Nagaland Police, Manoj Kumar A, IPS
(DIPR)