Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 25
Extortion and illegal ‘tax collection’ galore, particularly in Dimapur, Home Minister, Imkong L. Imchen, called a meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s office at Dimapur, Saturday, September 25. The meeting discussed ways and means to arrive at certain foolproof mechanisms to tackle anti-social activities in the district.
The district administration was represented by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Sedevikho Khro while the police was led by the district police chief, Z. Mero and the Additional Superintendent of Police, I. Sunget Ao. Dimapur Municipal Council was led by the Chief Advisor, Er. K. Keditsu and the advisory board members.
Forced extraction of money from businessmen and transporters was the focus of the meeting besides, the ever growing problem of traffic congestion and the almost non-existent parking areas. It also called for better and more open communication between the police, the administration and the municipal body to deal with the problem at hand.
With many instances of individuals, claiming to represent one or the other underground groups, openly collecting ‘tax’, the Home Minister questioned: “why can’t the police arrest such people on the spot?”
The ADC however, highlighted the inability of the administration or for that matter the police to effectively take action by pointing to non-receipt of formal complaints from the affected party or the public. The ADC called for prompt communication of complaints.
The SP seconded the ADC’s explanation by stating that the district police are constraint to deploy policemen everywhere. ASP Sunget Ao remarked that the unwillingness of the general public to come forward and file FIRs is a big legal hurdle in the police’s drive against extortion and all other forms of criminal activity.
Chief Advisor of the DMC’s advisory board, Er. Keditsu construed that fear for one’s life is restraining people from coming forward with complaints. He further, pointed out the instances of culprits going scot-free after obtaining bail from the court.
“It’s a strong point you’ve made”, the Home Minister remarked to the legal loophole, yet added that the administration is helpless on that aspect since, it is a matter of the court.
According to the observation of the DMC Chief Advisor, the individuals who indulge in criminal activities usually turn out to people posing themselves as members of any of the underground groups.
Nevertheless, the HM sought the cooperation of the public to come forward with any inputs or rather complaints and lifting the public off fear psychosis. “As a legally constituted government I want such activities (extortion and illegal collection) rooted out”, said the HM.
The HM further informed that the government has agreed to strengthen community policing by arming members of the civil defence with weapons. He, however, made it clear that the police and the administration must take the lead to come up with something concrete while also liaise with the NGO’s and the civil societies.
On traffic congestion and lack of parking slots, the HM suggested the possibility of all new buildings coming up to leave room to form vehicle lots. Stating it to be only a suggestion, the HM said that the DMC and building owners should have mutual understanding on this. Vehicle theft, though nothing new, the HM said is mushrooming again.
At the end of the hour-long discussions the HM called for holding of the district security review meeting as soon as possible.
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