Dimapur Public
Coordination Committee
Dated 11th May 2009
Hon’ble Sir,
The citizens of Dimapur having been subjected to a number of criminal acts such as rape, looting, abduction, killing, extortion, threat and intimidation or rampant taxation, etc, in recent times; and owing to these criminal disturbances, we have, through a Public Meeting on 9th May, 2009, resolved in one voice to lay before you, this MEMORANDUM containing our Charter of Demands for urgent implementation in Dimapur which we are sure when put into action, will check the level of crime and persistent harassment of public. The demands are worth experimenting with in view of the urgency to sustain a semblance of normalcy in Dimapur. Further, Dimapur being the hub of economic, industrial and commercial activities catering to the whole State as well as its wide hinterland, it is imperative for the Administration/Government to step up measures for the safety and security of all citizens and establishments. Neglect in this aspect will prove costly to all concerned.
In order to create a congenial atmosphere, instill confidence and improve law and order affairs on long-term outlook, the Committee propose that following measures be taken up in earnest by your esteemed authority :
1.1 The menace of taxation and collection by the prolific unions in Dimapur has sapped the economy of the poor general public in a subtle but sure manner for very long. We propose that the Government strictly conduct checks and where deemed fit, ban all illegal unions and streamline proliferation of unions.
1.2 The Public Coordination Committee further propose the Government to constitute high-powered COMMISSION comprised of prominent citizens, legal experts, frontal NGOs, retired judges, etc to thoroughly conduct research & study the taxation phenomenon in Dimapur which will provide vital insights for tackling the menace on a long-term basis as against the idea of short-term solutions like banning of which unions have mastered the art of survival through the Court.
2.0 Increase of Personnel & Police Mobile Squad from existing 5 (five) to 15 (fifteen) in tune with the 15 Sectors of Dimapur (one for each sector) and strength of personnel is imperative to close the gap between criminals and the law as public can report to law keepers in less time, thereby reducing incidents and drastically discouraging criminal forays.
2.1 The integrity and quality of command i/c, security personnel assigned to each mobile squad must be strictly screened so that lapses do not occur in crucial moments due to poor discipline/motivation (such as during the 2nd May ’09 shooting case which saw police dereliction), neither should personnel be inclined to sympathize with criminal elements nor succumb to intimidation. Hence, the need for integrity screening. Without such criteria, increasing squad/personnel will hardly make any difference.
2.2 The Police Mobile Squad must be put to service 24 hours and not be called off in wee hours when the gates of crime swing open widest. Duty roster will ensure a 24-hour Security patrol in the key city of the State notoriously becoming branded as the ‘crime city’. Further, the Government may provide mobile/SIM facilities to selected NGO leaders and local area leaders for constant connectivity to Police and Administration which is bound to impact efforts in battling crime.
2.3 Hence, Community policing may be introduced as a regular programme headed and supported by the District administration with guidelines and rules of conduct framed and distributed to all colony/village leaders for dissemination to local volunteers.
2.4 Foot patrolling is highly appreciated. However, a large section of the city is yet to see a regular police patrol. Vulnerable crime joints such as both stretches of road below new flyover, west yard, Railway colony, railway station, Hongkong market, New Market, periphery of the town (where most criminals escape and cool their heels only to be back the next hour) need a close watch as most of the pick-pocketing, purse snatching, molestation, abduction take place with little or no notice by law keepers and cries for help hardly heard in those areas. Hence, the urgency for extensive CRPF or IRB patrolling.
2.5 Restricted Special empowerment of Police, Administration and recognized mass-based NGOs of Dimapur is proposed in order to deal with law & order problems peculiar to Dimapur District.
2.6. Adequate deployment of paramilitary forces in all banks/ financial institutions in view of banks and business houses shifting their bases away from Dimapur due to frequent harassment of banks/corporate sectors. 3.0 Rape law must be revised and rapists awarded with rigorous punishment of imprisonment till death.
4.0 Due to various schools located beside roads and highways, many children are exposed to high-speed traffic and several die every year through accidents. Hence, road bumps/speed breakers and ZEBRA markings must be created and imprinted in selected locations close to schools to highlight crossings as preventive measures.
4.1 Creation of road divider on the highway stretch between Dimapur and Chumukedima (NH39) in view of the rising death toll through numerous accidents on the stretch every month since increase of traffic over the last 10 years. This may be taken up on priority pending the 4-laning which we fail to foresee any semblance of progress in immediate future.
5.0 Ceasefire Ground Rules : In view of frequent shoot-outs in various locations including towns where thousands of public commute daily, resulting either in death or injury to innocent victims, the Government is urged to take up stronger measures and even involve NGOs to enforce strict adherence to Ceasefire Ground Rules.
Hon’ble Sir, in the light of above, it is our humble submission that a strong arm policy is required to deal with the chronic ailment of Dimapur without which the future is bleak. In view of the urgency, we submit this MEMORANDUM confident that the Government will ensure the safety and security of citizens as well as sustaining a conducive atmosphere for the commercial hub. Even as the public have scheduled the next Public Meeting in August 2009 to assess the Government response, we are confident many of the above charter of demands will be fulfilled through the prompt intervention of your benign authority.
Assuring you of our full cooperation for better governance at all times,
We remain,
Yours faithfully,
On behalf of Dimapur Public Coordination Committee,
Sd/- 1. SAVI LIEGISE,
President Naga Council
Sd/- 2. MRS HUKHELI WOTSA, President,
Dimapur Naga Women Hoho
Sd/- 3. KHEKAHO ASSUMI, Chairman,
Dimapur Municipal Council
Sd/- 4. MY NGULLIE, Dimapur District GB Assn
Sd/- 5. SOLOMON AWOMI, President, Dimapur Naga Students’ Union
Sd/- 6. KHASHETO YEPTHOMI, President, Dimapur Chamber of Commerce
Sd/- 7. DILIP SHARMA, President,
Dimapur Press Club
Sd/- 8. BITHUNGO KIKON, President, All Nagaland Pvt. Schools Assn (Dmr Unit)
Sd/- 9. A. RAHMAN, Muslim Council Dimapur
Sd/- 10. MONOJ BHATACHARJEE, Bengali Community Dimapur
Sd/- 11. HEKHEVI ACHUMI, Senior Citizen Dimapur
Sd/- 12. REV LOLI KAPE, Chairman, Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship Dmr.
Sd/- 13. SUDIP SEN, Dmr Bank & Insurance Employees Coord Commtee.
Sd/- 14. JOSEPH SHINGNAISUI, Sessional Secy, Public Mtg
Pres, Tangkhul Hoho).
Sd/- 15. T. BANGERLOBA, Vice President, Naga Council
Sd/- 16. W. LEMBA CHANG, Gen, Secretary,
Naga Council
Sd/- 17.MRS LIANGSI JOHN, Gen Secy, NWHD
Sd/- 18. RS YAMPOLOMI, Vice president, NWHD
Sd/- 19. MRS ESTHER RIO, Jt Secy, NWHD
Sd/- 20.THABAN RONGMEI, Jt Secy, Naga Council
Sd/- 21. KUMKIU YIMCHUNGR, Jt Secy, Naga Council
Sd/- 22. DIETHO RHAKHO, Treasurer, Naga Council
Sd/- 23. W. MERO,
Councillor, Naga Council
Sd/- 24. NM OVUNG, Councillor, Naga Council
Sd/- 25. MEDOVOYI, Vice President, DNSU
Sd/- 26. MRS TIALA SAPUH, Councillor, Naga Council
