Kohima | September 15 : Home Minister Imkong L. Imchen today said the overall impact of the removal and closing down of police check posts in the state has been positive as this has resulted in decrease in prices of common goods in many places in the state.
Replying to a starred question raised by Congress MLA H. Chuba Chang, the Home Minister said the police check gates were closed down following popular demand by the civil societies and NGOs. This, he said, was done to minimize the alleged illegal collection of money at such places not only by police personnel manning the check posts but also by other anti-social elements taking advantage of these check gates. However, he explained, all police check gates were not closed and inter-district check gates are still operational.
Admitting that there have been apprehensions of increase in vehicle theft and flow of contraband goods following of the removal of the police check gates, he opined that such activities could be checked by conducting motor vehicle check points (MVCPs) at different places at different times by police and security forces.
On the issue of regulating inner line permits (ILP), he said Chumukedima check gate and other inter-state check posts are still in existence where police have been directed to conduct checking of ILP defaulters at various places.
Imkong said the closure of inter-district check gates has been done in tune with other states where there are no police check gates except at inter-state boundaries such as Assam, Manipur, etc.
On being asked whether the government is contemplating re-establishing the check posts, he said other police check gates can also be re-established in case of absolute necessity by the police department. If the department feels that establishment of a check gate is absolutely necessary at a particular place for checking of flow of contraband goods or on certain strategic purposes, the department will examine and decision will be taken accordingly, he added.
Replying to a starred question raised by Congress MLA H. Chuba Chang, the Home Minister said the police check gates were closed down following popular demand by the civil societies and NGOs. This, he said, was done to minimize the alleged illegal collection of money at such places not only by police personnel manning the check posts but also by other anti-social elements taking advantage of these check gates. However, he explained, all police check gates were not closed and inter-district check gates are still operational.
Admitting that there have been apprehensions of increase in vehicle theft and flow of contraband goods following of the removal of the police check gates, he opined that such activities could be checked by conducting motor vehicle check points (MVCPs) at different places at different times by police and security forces.
On the issue of regulating inner line permits (ILP), he said Chumukedima check gate and other inter-state check posts are still in existence where police have been directed to conduct checking of ILP defaulters at various places.
Imkong said the closure of inter-district check gates has been done in tune with other states where there are no police check gates except at inter-state boundaries such as Assam, Manipur, etc.
On being asked whether the government is contemplating re-establishing the check posts, he said other police check gates can also be re-established in case of absolute necessity by the police department. If the department feels that establishment of a check gate is absolutely necessary at a particular place for checking of flow of contraband goods or on certain strategic purposes, the department will examine and decision will be taken accordingly, he added.
