DGP Nagaland receive award for ‘streamlining State police dept’
DGP (Border Affairs), Nagaland, Rupin Sharma (right) receiving the IHRC Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Bravery Award 2020 from national general secretary, IHRC, Kamal Rak Chetry. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 31
Director General of Police (Border Affairs), Nagaland, with charge of Free Movement Regime (Nagaland-Myanmar Border), Rupin Sharma, was conferred the International Human Rights Council (IHRC) Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Bravery Award 2020, at a function held at Hotel Seb Tower, on January 31.
According to IHRC, Sharma was conferred the bravery award for his initiative in streamlining the State police department, “cracking the long-running pension scam saving thousands of crores for Nagaland state”, bringing prison reforms. IHRC also profiled his distinguished and meritorious services for the country while posted abroad and his role in nabbing notorious gangster Abu Salem.
Sharma in his acceptance speech alluded to corruption as the bane of Nagaland State and the main factor which has hampered the overall development in the state and wellbeing of citizens.
The DGP (Border Affairs) said one “open manifestation” of corruption in the State is the difference between “quality of private and public properties” and wondered if funds meant for development of public properties like schools, hospitals, roads and other infrastructures are diverted to develop private property.
He said though corruption is a common phenomenon worldwide and in the country, but in many places and states in India, development has reached to certain levels of citizens’ expectations.
Sharma ventured to say whether it was the “simplicity” of Naga people, their self-reliant nature and “big heart” that they condone corruption and do not demand their rights.
Terming human rights as one step beyond fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution, he said all fundamental rights have their origin in human rights. He said human rights fall into two categories –individual rights and social or development rights.
He said human rights encompass even government jobs, that is equal opportunity to all aspirants through transparent selection process based on merit and cited Indian Civil Services conducted by UPSC as a case in point.
The same transparency should apply to contract and work orders too in the form of open tender, he said.
Sharma said times have changed and with increasing number of educated youths, Nagaland too has to adopt the transparent system sooner or later. The IPS officer said RTI Act has empowered the citizen to check corruption in government set up and departments. “But after filing RTI and getting the information, don’t become an extortionist”, he said in a lighter tone.
Further, he urged upon custodians of Naga customary laws to report to the police all cases solved through customary courts. Sharma said this would act as a crime deterrent as “criminals or thieves” cannot get government jobs.
“Let us not be overtly tolerant to crime and corruption,” he said.
Thanking the IHRC for the award, Sharma in his concluding remark said, “Bravery is not only about fighting people with arms. It is also about standing up against something bad.”
National general secretary, IHRC, Kamal Rak Chetry, also spoke on the occasion. Earlier, president, Nagaland State Board-IHRC, Akavi N Zhimomi, delivered welcome address.
