DGP Nagaland, Rupin Sharma during a Facebook live stream on September 15. (Screengrab/Facebook)
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Morung Express News
Kohima | September 15
The Director General of Police (DGP) Nagaland, Rupin Sharma, today issued the sternest warning yet to the State's cops on the issues of drug abuse, trafficking, and alcoholism.
'This is the last warning for those personnel assisting in drug trafficking,' he asserted during a live stream on Facebook.
Sharma further stated that police personnel, from bottom to top-level, would be shown "no mercy" and penalised with ‘sukha’ discharge – the informal term for forced premature retirement without any benefits.
The problems of drug abuse and alcoholism are also becoming "alarming," the DGP further noted.
Accordingly, he also issued a "final warning" that those personnel who drink or 'take drugs' will be taken out of the service. An earlier warning was issued seven months ago, and therefore, there will be no leniency, he added.
The State police chief further indicated that a list of suspects had been earlier communicated to each unit regarding those indulging in such activities and further advised those with existing alcohol or drug abuse problems to seek rehabilitation on their own.
The punishment for defaulters would go as far as 'sukha' discharge, he added. However, he did not specify whether the warning pertains only to alcoholics among the police personnel or included social drinkers
Meanwhile, during the live chat session, which is informed to be a regular affair in the coming days, the DGP Nagaland informed that all future promotions would be based on Central Promotion Test (CPT) conducted by the PHQ, and all other means would be discontinued.
The system would be clean and fair, he assured, adding that promotion from constabulary up to inspector level would be based on the annual CPT. Any other recommendations from Ministers, legislators, and other entities will not be entertained, he added.
The police personnel also have the option of opting out of the CPT for one cycle and can rejoin during the next cycle, he added. Sharma further informed that the Nagaland Police are trying to limit “out of turn” promotion to 2-3% of the total police personnel.
He also noted that the department is trying its best to improve rations, and hopefully, in the next 2-3 months, there would be changes. If things do not improve, inform us before taking to social media; we will take action against suppliers, he urged. As a family, if you have any problem or suggestion, directly inform the CO/SP. If it is not solved there, come directly without an appointment to the Police Headquarters (PHQ), he added, assuring his time.
It must be noted here that the Nagaland Police has taken a strong anti-narcotics pledge, committing “not to engage in the production, manufacture, possession, sale, purchase, transportation and consumption of psychotropic substances” in March 24, 2023.
During the event, Sharma then stated that Nagaland Police is possibly the first police force in the country to administer such a pledge to all its personnel and also stressed on the need for a multi-pronged approach and education of police personnel about the seriousness of the problem.
The DGP also requested police personnel who are addicted to drugs or alcohol to voluntarily come forward for rehabilitation and cautioned that they would be either suspended or terminated from service if caught by the department.
