Dimapur, June 3 (MExN): As sanctioned by the state’s Home minister for vigilance committees in all respective wards, colonies and village councils around Dimapur town to combat anti-social elements on May 25, the Dimapur district administration today organised an orientation programme with regard to the “colony vigilance committee” at the DC Conference Hall here today. The orientation programme was attended by representatives of the district administration headed by Deputy Commissioner, Maong Aier, Additional SP VZ Angami, DMC chairman Khekeho Assumi, Naga Council president, Savi Leigise and a host of DBs, GBs and colony chairmen. The vigilance committee was rechristened Community Peace Police (CPP) and agreed in principle to accept the charter of duties and qualifications.
The latest initiative is set to start operating within the next few days once the names of committee members are finalised. This venture is set to be experimented in all the 23 wards under the jurisdiction of Dimpur Municipal Council. If successful, it would be extended to other areas in Dimapur. This Community Peace Police, which was constituted purely to maintain peace and security in Dimapur, shall consist of eight to ten members selected by a team comprising of the Naga Council, DMC members, magistrate and police officers for each ward. The team shall select its “committee members in consultation with the chairman/DMC members/Naga Council members of the concern wards and colonies”. The committee member should be a permanent resident of the colony in the age group of 25 to 50 years; he should not be a student or an alcoholic or a drug addict and should not be involved in any criminal activity.
However, the bulk of the responsibility is entrusted to the “team” comprising of the Naga Council, DMC members, magistrate and police who have to oversee and closely monitor the overall law and order trends in the areas carved out and assigned to them. The team must pre-assess any crime trend in the area and formulate pre-emptive measures to check occurrence of crime as far as practicable.
It is envisaged to build up a system of collecting intelligence and undertake analysis of such reports and adopt appropriate measures to check proliferation of crimes. It is to update a list of habitual offenders with criminal records residing in the area and keep close monitor on their movement and activities. The “team” has to ensure immediate physical presence at sites where crimes occur or is anticipated. Every person is bound to assist a magistrate or police officer to obtain and arrest , to prevent breach of peace, the charter of duties stated.
The team is to submit weekly reports on the status of law and order situation in their assigned areas to either the DC or the SP. The team members are also to widely circulate their contact numbers to facilitate the public at large to lodge complaint or alert them of incident as the case may be. The team should be linked-up to the central control room to relay information and seeking assistance for “re-enforcement etc” as the case may be.
In this regard, the Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur Maong Aier asked the gathered ward and colony leaders to submit the names of volunteers to the DC office immediately. It is learned that the state Home department has accepted the proposal to set up the vigilance committee in principle and this new venture is set to be operational within the next few days.
A senior police officer informed that although there is no provision of any salaries for the committee members at present, the district administration is planning to issue uniforms and monthly stipends for them in the near future, as the Home ministry has approved the plan in principle.
