Nagaland Police says anti extortion drive being conducted relentlessly

Cites lack of formal complaints by victims as a challenge

Morung Express News
Kohima | June 26

IGP (Range) Limasunep Jamir today assured that the Nagaland Police is carrying out “its mandated duty of anti-extortion drive relentlessly, irrespective of various UG Groups/Over ground sympathisers (OGS)/Anti-social elements masquerading or taking the name of various UG groups.”

Jamir said this during a press conference held at the Nagaland Police Headquarters, Kohima on June 26 while addressing concerns and apprehensions over the likelihood of increasing extortion activities with the phased wise relaxation of the lockdown in Nagaland.

The press conference was also held a day after a letter from the Governor to the Nagaland CM became public. In the letter, the Governor had expressed serious concerns on the inefficacy of the law enforcement agencies to check illegal activities conducted by “armed gangs.”

Jamir informed that over the last five years, the Nagaland Police along with Assam Rifles/Security Forces have registered a total of 893 criminal cases and arrested 1,238 people of various Naga political groups for involvement in various crimes like violation of Arms Act, Explosive Acts, Murder offence against the State, abduction/kidnapping for ransom, UA (P) Act, NSR, extortion, robbery etc. 

“In fact in the last one week alone, Kohima Police had arrested six hardcore extortionists of various factions and another five were arrested by Dimapur Police. Further, joint operations were carried out by Assam Rifles and Dimapur Police last night itself,” said Jamir.

The IGP pointed out that extortion related cases make up the majority of the offences in the total cases registered against members of Naga political groups.

In Dimapur alone, 507 cases were registered against extortionists in the last five years and a total of 723 extortionists were arrested. Meanwhile in Kohima, 72 cases were registered and 96 extortionists arrested.

Public cooperation required: Police
“In more than 95 percent of the cases relating to extortion, the criminal cases are registered suo moto by the police. That means there are no formal complaint lodged by the aggrieved party against the extortionist,” stated Jamir, adding that maximum of the extortion cases registered and arrests made were initiated due to the proactiveness of the Police and security forces.

“It stabs at the heart of the criminal justice system that victims of crime/victims of extortions do not find it a part of their duty and responsibility to file a formal complaint in a police station and share the facts and circumstances of crime,” remarked Jamir. The failure to report to Police further encourages and emboldens the criminals.

In this regard, the Nagaland Police appealed citizens to be more forthcoming with criminal complaints and to consider it a duty as well as responsibility to assist the Police in tackling the menace of extortion.

“It is only on the basis of active, participative and responsible community and citizenry, crime can be prioritized and rooted out from society,” Jamir stated. 

Jamir also cautioned that submission to illegal demand can leave a “trail of terror funding, offence against State, abetment to criminal offence.”

He further asked the citizens to make use of the emergency contact numbers, and social media pages of the Nagaland Police to post any complaints. A WhatsApp number at PHQ is also being circulated for any individual to post their complaint which will be monitored by a team of officers in PHQ, headed by SP (Crime). The confidentiality of all persons shall be maintained if so desired, informed the Nagaland Police.