Rupin Sharma kept on ‘compulsory wait,’ directed to hand over charge immediately
Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 20
The Governor of Nagaland has ordered Renchamo P Kikon, IPS, Additional DGP (L&O) to take over the current charge of Director General of Police, Nagaland in addition to his normal duties with immediate effect.
This was informed in a notification issued on June 20 by Nagaland State Home Commissioner, R Ramakrishnan.
The notification stated that Rupin Sharma, IPS, DGP, Nagaland “is kept on compulsory wait and directed to hand over the charge to Renchamo P Kikon, IPS today itself.”
“We have received the notification. I have signed my charge papers today,” confirmed Renchamo Kikon while speaking to The Morung Express on Wednesday evening.
This development comes as several civil society organizations spearheaded a signature campaign across the state demanding that the Nagaland State Government retain Rupin Sharma as DGP.
On Tuesday, June 19, Nagaland State Chief Secretary, Temjen Toy, told The Nagaland Post that the said issue was “hyped” and the protest “engineered.”
Kikon maintained that he is unable to comment on the issue because “I cannot read the mind of the Chief Secretary.”
‘Other officers’ also told the paper that “reactions against posting of a regular DGP were illogical and premeditated” and done to “subvert constitutional authority of the government” and the “union home ministry.”
This, even as Nagaland’s citizens continued a signature campaign in favour of former DGP Rupin Sharma, for the third day today. Despite the new development, one organizer informed that the campaign will continue and conclude on June 21.
Non uniformed personnel of the Nagaland Police also took part in the signature campaign on Monday, June 18, despite the then DGP’s order to refrain. Will this attract punishment under the new dispensation?
“It was an expression of their solidarity. There is nothing much to it but I cannot say if any action will be taken against them; I don’t know what the government has to say about this,” said Renchamo Kikon.
NPRAAF slams move
The Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) meanwhile said that it is “disappointed at the forced replacement of Rupin Sharma (IPS) as DGP by an officer much junior to him in service.”
“The centre refused to act based upon the letter of the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary to bring in an outside state IPS cadre to be the new DGP of Nagaland, taking into consideration the immaculate track record of Rupin Sharma IPS,” a press note from the NPRAAF information and publicity cell stated.
It termed the action of the State Government as being “against the IPS (Regulation of Seniority) Rules, 1988 and against the wishes of the people of Nagaland who openly demanded his retention.”
“The state government action is an insult to the honest police officer, who refused to bow down to Mantris and Babus for corruption. Such unethical action will demoralize the state police force and an honest public servant,” the NPRAAF said.
It meanwhile demanded to know from the government “if Rupin Sharma IPS does not qualify the set criteria of 30 years to become DGP, then what criteria was followed to appoint the new DGP.” “If the government response is not satisfactory NPRAAF will seek the door of justice in the greater interest of the people,” it added.
