Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 26
Nagaland State Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today launched the Nagaland Tourist Police and flagged off the tourist police vehicles, including an integrated control room. A booklet comprising of important contact numbers along with important tourist spots, details of all homestay /hotels was also released.
Nagaland has become the 2nd NE state to launch such a force for maintaining the safety and security of tourists during the Hornbill Festival, which starts December 1.
The force, numbering 73 personnel including 50 women personnel from the 15th IRB and 23 men from DEF Kohima, will be deployed at the Dimapur Airport and Railway Station, Chumukedima Check Gate, and 12 sectors in Kohima. There will also be reception counter at the airport and railway station, in addition to an integrated control room including a grievance redressal mechanism. A 24 hour control room has been activated to be manned by 12 dedicated personnel and a tourism officer. Two gypsys and motor cycles will be deployed to attend all calls, in addition to mobile units dedicated to the control room. An SOS call app will also be linked with the control room.
The primary role of the tourist police will be to provide facilitation, guidance, safety and security to foreign and domestic tourists. It will also help in providing transport & lodging, while working to safeguard tourists from cheats, bag lifters, pickpockets, eve- teasing, molestation, drugging etc.
Other services to be provided by the force include assisting the district administration/police in taking action against undesirable elements; traffic management and crowd control; assistance in ‘Lost and Found’ activities; preventing graffiti and littering of garbage at tourist sites; helping tourists to procure tickets for museums, resorts, transport, movies; and inform them on local law and order conditions, security hazards, and places of medical help.
It will also guide tourist on matters relating to passport, visas, residential permits, exchange of foreign currency and on immigrations issues. This is in addition to providing mental support/counseling to victims of crimes.
Nagaland Tourist Police: At A Glance
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2nd State in North East
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Strength: 73 with 50 women (15th IRB) & 23 male personnel (DEF Kohima).
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Deployment: Railway Station & Airport, Chümoukedima Check Gate and 12 sectors in Kohima.
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Services: 24-hour integrated control room manned by 12 police personnel and tourism officer. Two gypsy and motor cycles to attend all calls. Mobile units and SOS call app linked with control room.
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Guidance: procuring tickets and matters relating various permits, exchange of foreign currency... protection them from touts and black marketers. Mental support/counseling to the victims (if any).
