DIMAPUR, APRIL 10 (MExN): As the opposition began to critizise the move to replace the Nagaland DGP, more official documents surfaced on social media, indicating that there is a political and executive desire in the present government to change the top cop in the state.
Two letters, both addressed to Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh, bearing the letterheads of the Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio and Chief Secretary, Temjen Toy made identical recommendations for replacing DGP Rupin Sharma.
The Chief Minister’s letter was dated March 24, 2018; while the Chief Secretary’s letter was dated March 27.
Both the letters cited identical reasons for appointing a new DGP, citing inexperience. They said that Sharma has “just 26 years of experience in IPS” and that he served primarily in the Cabinet Secretariat (RAW), Ministry of External Affairs and at the UN mission at Kosovo. The letters further pointed out that Sharma’s experience of serving in the state is “very limited with just about 1 year as SP of Peren district.”
The Chief Minister, in his letter stated that “given the law and order situation in Nagaland, as well as the challenges of policing in the state, it is imperative that an officer of sufficient seniority who is aware of local issues is posted as DGP of the state police.”
The Chief Secretary’s letter meanwhile revealed that the current DGP’s “inexperience led to challenges and issues in the conduct of the State Assembly Elections in February 2018.” “Somehow we were able to ensure that the elections were conducted without any major law and order situation,” it added.
While the Chief Minister recommended that IGP Lungriading be considered for deputation to Nagaland as DGP, the Chief Secretary in his letter did not specify any particular officer. The latter simply requested that the MHA consider posting an officer of suitable seniority from other cadre as DGP.
