DIMAPUR, JUNE 17 (MExN): The Naga Hoho on Saturday urged the Nagaland State Government to set up a neutral high level Special Investigation Team (SIT) to thoroughly investigate into various allegations against MKR Pillai, retired Addl. SP of Nagaland Police and former Consultant to DGP.
In a press statement, the Naga Hoho, through its communication cell, maintained that investigation into Pillai’s case, for alleged tax evasion and possession of assets disproportionate to his known sources of income by Income Tax officials, can also be done even without the help of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
It said the ongoing case in which MKR Pillai is being investigated has put under the scanner the way in which he managed the system in Nagaland while serving in the Police department.
“The picture that is emerging is one of a totally unrestrained scam of enormous magnitude stretching across the last decade or so,” the Naga Hoho said. It further pointed out that all the ingredients are there - among others, “abuse of official position; misappropriation of government funds; misuse of government property; money laundering; and benami transactions.”
And not expressing surprise, the Naga Hoho said this was inevitable considering the abysmal state of affairs in Nagaland and stated, “This case is perhaps just the tip of the iceberg and indicative of the standards of governance in our State.”
It reminded that different Naga organisations and concerned citizens have raised questions to the Police department and the politicians in the past with regard to the power and influence that has been enjoyed by Pillai in the Police department.
Here, the Naga Hoho pointed out, it has become very important for every concerned Naga to deliberate on as to how government servants seem to be indulging in business and contract work etc., while the service rules are very clear on this aspect.
“Such activities by our government servants create situations where the conflict of interests that arises only breeds corruption and poor governance. It is a wake-up call for the State Government to discipline the government servants, be it Nagas or outsiders,” it stated.
On the termination of the consultancy contract of Pillai with the Police department, and the Vigilance Commission’s registration of the case specifically on his appointment as consultant -and not for any misuse of his official position for personal benefit- the Naga Hoho observed that this seem to have been provoked only in reaction to the wide-spread media coverage and commentary on social media on the case.
The Naga Hoho therefore suggested that the State Vigilance Commission would do well to initiate investigation not only on the issue of the consultancy contract but also into the whole issue of massive corruption that has emerged.
The Naga Hoho also sought to remind of the ugly contours of the Nagaland tribes in similar scenario that if such a case as that of Pillai had happened to any local officers, negotiations and compromises would have emerged between the tribes, clans and villages.
It therefore made a fervent appeal to the State Government to take the appropriate steps in ensuring that all the illegitimate activities of Pillai carried out during both his active career and as consultant to the Police department are fully exposed and he is brought to justice for his actions.
“Only if this is done will it act as a deterrent in future to those who may try and misuse their position for their own personal gain and benefit,” the Naga Hoho said.
