• Crime decreased by 14 percent from 2020
• Extortion cases dipped over past four months
Morung Express News
Dimapur | December 22
Crime in Dimapur reduced by around 14 percent in 2021, as per Dimapur police data. Summing up the crime roundup for the year, PRO of the Dimapur police, DCP (Crime), Bharat Laxman Mankad, told a press conference today that the total of cases registered by the Dimapur police, from January 1 till December 21, 2021 stood at 738 cases. The total in 2020 was 857.
The law and order situation in Dimapur has been “peaceful and under control” this year, the PRO said, while stating that cases of extortion have come down over the past four months, in particular, since the Dimapur police implementation of the ‘District Action Plan’ to curb illegal taxation. The number of extortion cases registered stood at 98, increasing from 88 in 2020. The number of people arrested in connection with the 98 cases was 138.
An increased reporting of kidnappings and abductions was also noted with the PRO attributing it to growing public confidence in the police. As many as 81 persons have been arrested by the police, from January till December 21. The number of cases registered under the crime head— ‘Kidnapping and Abduction’ stood at 36.
In 2020, three kidnappings for ransom were registered, besides 16 missing cases. Generally, missing cases are treated as kidnapping when the victims involve women and minors.
Of the total 738 cases registered, theft accounted for 280 cases. The Commissioner of Police, Rothihu Tetseo, added that a major chunk of the theft cases were vehicle theft, 2-wheelers in particular. In 2020, some 313 cases of theft were registered.
Citing installation of less than adequate security cameras in the district, he admitted that it is challenging to curb vehicle theft. While stating that the CCTV cameras have been installed at important checkpoints and intersections, he added, “We need more.”
As far as equipping street patrolling was concerned, Tetseo said, “We have but it’s not sufficient.”
After theft and extortion, Arms cases came in third place with as many as 58 cases registered and the arrests of 59 persons. The illegal arms haul for the year was 77 along with 1087 rounds of ammunition. Explosive paraphernalia, including 7 grenades, were also in the weapons catch list.
A combined 71 contraband cases were registered under the liquor prohibition, Drugs & Cosmetics and the Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Act. The list of impounded contrabands included over 25 thousand bottles of illicit liquor, 1303 kg of ganja, 1.68 kg of brown sugar, 1.42 kg of heroin, 800 grams of methamphetamine (crystal meth), 990 tablets of ‘Syabu’ and 35,000 tablets of ‘WY (Yaba)’ tablets. The latter two are reported to be also methamphetamine in tablet forms. In the catch list were also restricted pharmaceuticals.
Major investigations of the year
Some major investigations and breakthroughs of the year were also noted. Two of which were related to the kidnapping for ransom and subsequent rescue of hostages investigated by East and Diphupar Police Stations. One involved the kidnapping of a 3 year-old in the month of September, in which 5 persons were arrested after the child was rescued from Karbi Anglong. The other involved a 16 year-old boy, who was also rescued and 3 persons were nabbed. Two were members of the NSCN (IM).
The firing incident in the month of October was also recalled. In the aftermath of the incident, a senior member of the Niki Sumi led NSCN (K), along with two armed bodyguards were arrested by the police. Assault rifles and ammunition and “ID card (Ceasefire)” were also confiscated.
Two other cases— one relating to defrauding of the Nagaland State Cooperative Bank and the other relating to social media identity theft were also listed among the major successful investigations. The complaint in the latter case was filed by the Advisor for Power, Tovihoto Ayemi.
Advisory for festive December
The Dimapur Police Commissionerate further issued a list of advisories “in the interest of public safety and road traffic convenience” during a festive December.
It said that traffic related enforcement will be enhanced around Dimapur City Centre and Purana Bazaar/ Chümoukedima 4-lane stretch. “Public are requested to maintain strict adherence to all road traffic related rules.”
While stating, “Special Armed Deployment as per District Action Plan will continue at strategic locations… to thwart extortion/illegal taxation related activities,” it said that the Dimapur police will continue to escort goods vehicles “bound for Dimapur or in transit towards Kohima from New field/ Dellai Gate till Medziphema.” It provided helpline numbers: 100 or 7085055050 in case of emergencies.
It informed that temporary licence for selling fire crackers is issued by the Office of the Commissioner of Police. However, it prohibited “manufacture, sell and use of fire crackers generating noise exceeding 125 DB (Al) or 145 DB (C) pk at the distance of 4 metres from the point of bursting and joined fire crackers.”
While stating that fireworks will be permitted on Christmas and New Year eve from 11:55 pm till 12:30 am, it appealed against bursting of “fireworks within 100 metres radius from silent zones (Hospitals/ Health Care Centres, Educational Institutes, Religious places).”
“All Restaurants/Lounges/Night Carnivals/Night Bazaars should be closed by 10:00 PM,” it said.
While call calling for strict adherence to all COVID-19 related protocol, it requested the public and street vendors to avoid overcrowding around busy market places, “obstructing the thoroughfare and road traffic at busy traffic intersections like Clock Tower/Holy Cross Point/Deluxe Point/New Flyover.”
