Nagaland Police makes ambitious digital leap

•     e-Challan pay cashless fines
•     e-Suraksha file FIRs remotely

Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 28 

Nagaland Police will, apparently, no longer collect cash for traffic offences. In a move proclaimed to introduce transparency, the police headquarters has adopted the e-Challan, replacing the prevailing method of handing paper ticket/receipt or challan. 

DGP Rupin Sharma made the announcement, on September 28, at the Nagaland Police Complex in Chümoukedima. Alongwith the e-Challan, the state police also rolled out the e-Suraksha, a complaints portal that will enable online filing of First Information Reports (FIR). 

Under the e-Challan, commuters penalised for traffic violations need not have to pay cash. They will now clear fines through QR codes using the various payments apps, or make payments within a 45-day window. 

The system was built by the National Informatics Centre and linked to the Parivahan portal. Implies receipts will be received via text messages or downloaded from the portal. According to the DGP, settling penalties directly saves violators from hiring advocates to compound matters before a magistrate. 

“My request to all the public of Nagaland is that henceforth, you will not be required to pay cash for any traffic violations,” Sharma said. 

The e-Challan would also serve a dual purpose. “Anyone seeking to transfer a vehicle, or to sell a vehicle to any other person, he will have to get an NOC, and those pending challans and violations will also get reflected,” he added. 

Since the system will record the identity of the ticketing officer, the date, and the nature of the violation, it will allow the headquarters to audit unit performance.

The e-Suraksha portal will allow residents and people outside the state to lodge complaints online with any police station in Nagaland. To prevent fabricated filings, the portal sends an OTP to verify the sender before submission. Users can upload supporting documents, photographs, and audio or video files. Complainants need not specify the crime heads, as the designated police stations will classify them based on the nature of the offence/crime stated in the complaint.

The portal will also give users the choice to lodge grievances anonymously. 

Under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, complaints that do not outrightly reveal a cognizable offence will go through a preliminary inquiry that must conclude within seven days. Sharma stated that complaints dragging beyond this period will be flagged to the respective supervisory officers and even the DGP. He said that the complainant will only be summoned to a station if, during the course of the preliminary inquiry, certain questions need clarified. 

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Sandeep M Tamgadge said the e-Suraksha curtails station-level discretion in entertaining complaints. According to him, officers-in-charge, must accept matters detailing cognisable offences, while civil disputes, including disagreements stemming from private money lending, will be turned away.

DGP Sharma further appealed property owners and tenants, and hotel operators to register on the Tenant-Landlord and Hotel Occupancy apps. “I would request all landlords and all tenants in Nagaland to use these apps. These are very simple interfaces… These will help police in locating criminals if it is required and whenever it is required,” he said. 

The links to the portals can be accessed on the Nagaland Police website.