Chizokho Vero
Kohima | May 4
Justifying that community policing system was prevailing in Naga society before British extended their administration jurisdiction, Toshitsungba Ao, IPS, DIG (Range) in-charge of law & order today called upon the public to extend their cooperation to police and work collectively for proper maintenance of law and order in Nagaland.
“Everything, we have to start from Kohima for Nagaland so that others will follow suit. We should be a torch bearer,” DIG told the colony youth representatives of Kohima led by Angami Youth Organization (AYO) during a three hour long deliberation on community policing with them here at PHQ.
Stating that community policing is a social contract theory, he also called upon NGOs and public to come forward and strengthen community policing in the state. The DIG stated that community policing system was prevailing in Naga society before British extended their administration jurisdiction, adding that British administration recognized the traditional community system of Nagas.
In respect of legal background, he said in place of Reform Act of 1935 the British introduced a new legislation for excluded area of Naga Hills the Role of administration of justice and Police Act of 1937, adding that the Act of 1937 recognized community policing in Naga Hills.
He said Indian Penal Code 1860 and CRPC 1898 were not applied in Naga Hills. However, Government of Assam has issued a regulation in 1956 for limited application of CRPC when the political unrest started in Naga Hills. The Police Act of 1861 was not applied in Naga Hills. However, the first police station was established at Kohima in 1933 under Nowgong.
1973 CrPC amendment provides Community Policing. In Naga Hills context, he said the 1st police post was established in Naga Hills in 1888, 1st police station in 1933, P.S (N) Kohima, S.P for Naga Hills was established in 1953, Kohima and 1st I.G.P appointed in 1965.
Referring to 1973 Cr. P.C amendment and community policing, he said Section 37 indicates that every citizen is duty bound to assist magistrate and police for prevention of breach of peace, Section 38- the execution of warrant can be directed to any person other than police officers, Section 39- it is the duty of every person to share information with state government crimes against state property and life and section 40 empowered every person residing in a village to report to the administration or O.C of the Police station information relating to affect of public order.
He also highlighted community policing system in other states like; West Bengal 1950 Village Resistance Group, Gujarat Citizen Voluntary Association Act 1951, Karnataka Village Defence Party Act 1964, Orissa Security Committee, Kerala Crime Prevention Committee, Appointment of Special Police Officers in Delhi , Tamil Nadu Friends of Police Movement, Mumbai after Babri Mosque Demolition in December 1992 organise community policing, Jammu & Kashmir Village Defense Committee and Chhattisgarh People Resistance Movement.
Referring to civil liberties movement in Nagaland context, he said the Act of 1937 is still in operation. The Village Guard Organization established 1956-57 now and presently has more than 10,000 in 5 districts. This is a part of community policing.
Toshitsungba however said community policing in Nagaland is slowly eroded over the year due to various reasons. Community policing in the villages is not in a position to deals with U.G related crime, he said.
He said the main reasons for deterioration of community policing is mushrooming of developmental activities without accountability. He also cited other reasons as; loyalty with District administration has changed over the years, trust deficit, developmental departments not accountable in their works.
The vast government resources for developmental works facilitate insurgency activities funding.
Large scale corruption right from grass root level to the top responsible for deterioration of law and order, he said.
He also put some questions at the deliberation; whether the community policing or appointment of special police officer in the town can prevent U.G. related crimes, while questioning whether cease fire is a licence for extortion and crime?, whether cease fire ground rules can supersede law of the land? Also pointing others, he stressed on the need to revisit the administration and system, adding that accountability and responsibility should be fixed.
Highlighting the basic concept of community policing, he said it is a voluntary service by public/ citizen, which is not a source of employment or remuneration.
Community policing has no legal authority. However in case of Naga “we have legal sanction/ authority.”
“Community policing has no uniform system. It differs from society to society,” he said adding it is a partnership between public and law enforcing agency.
Stating that community policing can be initiated from beat house, out-post, police station, sub- divisional officer, S.P and range level, he said the system can be successful where there is mutual trust between police and public, where people trust with police and governance, where the court are affected and deliver justice, where there is social capital and democratic dividend, where people are law abiding citizen, where there is strong local self government or Panchayati Raj.
He said community policing is a direct participation of people in the governance in a welfare state, adding that it is a part of democratic process.
The DIG said community policing is a decentralization of power or a concept of shared responsibility and accountability.
