Morung Express News
Kohima | February 14
In the midst of recent controversy regarding alleged “backdoor” appointments made in the Police Department, Deputy Home Minister, Y Patton, who also holds the Home portfolio today informed that 206 Police constables were appointed through open recruitment from 2019 March to January 2020 while 15 Sub-Inspectors were appointed during 2019-2020.
However, there were no constables undergoing training at NAPTC & PTS at present, he stated.
This was in response to a query made by opposition MLA, Dr Imitiwapang Aier.
On the reported appointments for 929 posts, an issue which led the Naga Tribal Union Chümoukedima Town (NTUCT) to recently “disallow” training of police recruits, the Home Minister said that for recruitment of constables, under the P&AR notification office memo, all grade III and IV posts outside the purview of NPSC are to be filled based on recommendations of the departments, except the Police Department.
Recruitment is done by the Unit Commander and SPs. The 206 recruitment was done through open advertisement. The other existing vacancies were appointed by SPs and Commandants, as per notifications, said Patton.
To this, Leader of the Opposition, urged for corrective measure in the Police recruitment system and suggested that all recruitments be done through open recruitment in line with the Assam Rifles and CRPF open recruitments.
"We cannot squarely blame the Home Minister but we are all involved in it because the blame goes to the SPs and Commandants. But they are not appointing on their own, they appoint based on the recommendations of the VIPs, the higher ups. In this House the DGP, SP or Commandant cannot speak for themselves. So we throw the blame on them, delegate the power to them but we don't allow them to function, "said Zeliang.
He called for withdrawing the recruitment powers given to the DGP, SPs and Commandants through a Cabinet decision.
Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio meanwhile agreed with the need to review the appointment system and stated that a committee would be set up.
