POLICE HOLDS PRESS BRIEFING

Nagaland Police held a press briefing on 26th June 2020 at Mini Conference Room, PHQ, Kohima. 

Addressing the gathering, Limasunep Jamir IPS stated that the objective of the press briefing was to give an overview of police and security forces action against various underground factions, particularly with reference to extortion and measures taken to curb extortion by the state police. On behalf of the Nagaland Police, he assured that the police shall continue to carry out it mandated duty of anti-extortion drive relentlessly, irrespective of various UG Groups/ Over Grown Sympathizers (OGS)/ Anti-social elements masquerading or taking the name of various UG groups. He shared the official figures of arrest made against various underground factions by the State Police and Assam Riffle/ Security Forces over the last five years whereby at total of 893 criminal cases have been registered and a total of 1,238 persons have been arrested for involvement in various crimes like violation of Arms Act, Explosive Act, Murder, Extortion, Robbery, etcetera.

Highlighting some of the issues faced by the police, Jamir stated that in more than 95 percent of cases relating to extortion, the criminal cases are registered "suo-motto" by the police signifying the lack of participation by the victims to carry out their duty and responsibility to file a formal complaint in a police station. This lack of participation by the victims stabs at the heart of criminal justice system and only encourages and emboldens the criminals further, Jamir stated. 

Through the press briefing, Jamir on behalf of the Police department made an appeal to all to be more forthcoming with criminal complaints and to take it upon as a duty and responsibility to come forward and assist the police in tackling the menace of extortion while also assuring with utmost certainty that the police stations would be prompt to take cognizance of any complaint that they receive and that there are enough officers to ensure that action is taken.  He further made an appeal to make use of the Helplines provided by District Polices including a facebook page, Twitter handle and a whatsapp number which can also be used to post any complaint with confidentiality if so desired.

As a matter of caution, Jamir pointed out that submission to such illegal demands by various UGs, notwithstanding any justification, could leave a trial of terror funding, offence against the state, abatement to criminal offence which can invoke the attention of national investigation agency. 

(Takumpula & Renbenthung, IA)