DIMAPUR, JUNE 15 (MExN): The Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) today welcomed the termination of MKR Pillai as Consultant to the Nagaland Police by the state government. It however said that “removing him from the contractual service alone has not solved the larger issue of corruption in question.”
A press note from the NPRAAF said that “there was no need of consultant in the first place.” “If there was genuine need of consultant, Government should have recruited former IPS and NPS officers from Nagaland through an open interview,” it added.
The NPRAAF meanwhile appealed to the Chief Minister to “give free hand to CBI to come out with the whole truth and put behind bars all involved in the scam no matter who.” “The people of Nagaland are closely watching the episode as it unfolds. The Chief Minister’s sensible action will earn him and the Government credibility which is long lost,” it said.
It claimed that despite the centre “allocating several hundred crores to the state till date under MPF scheme” the state police is “is not well equipped to control riots.” “There is shortage of arms and ammunition, tear gas, riot shield, vehicles and rubber bullets etc. Shortage of these equipments can result in loss of innocent lives during riot situation,” it stated.
The NPRAFF further said that under the MPF scheme, the central government had allocated fund for construction of residential and non residential building, acquisition of vehicles, modern weaponry, communication equipment, training infrastructure facilities, forensic science facilities, purchase of security and other equipment etc. “However fund was misused. It is sad that in some district still our jawans are using redundant old rifles,” it added.
Pointing out that Nagaland is listed among the most prominent recipients of non plan security scheme, the NPRAAF however stated that “Nagaland is the worst equipped police force though our police forces are second to none in terms of courage and discipline.”
“Therefore few corrupted individuals should not be allowed to mess up the most sensitive department of the state,” it said.
The NPRAAF informed that it has decided to submit a representation to the Home Minister of India and the Income Tax Department apprising them of the “seriousness of corruption unfolded in the police department.”
It meanwhile viewed that income tax exemption has “only encouraged corruption as there is no yardstick to measure the income source and disproportionate assets.” “We Nagas must pay at least 1% tax to the Government which will help ascertain the disproportionate source of income and asset of all individuals and firms,” the NPRAAF opined.
Thorough probe by independent agencies
The Business Association of Nagaland (BAN) meanwhile demanded that along with the IT investigation into MKR Pillai, a thorough probe should be conducted by independent agencies or judicial commission.
Alleging that the case “involves criminal aspects,” the BAN demanded probes into the “people involved in recommending President’s Medal for Meritorious service in 2005 to Pillai,” the process through which he was promoted to an Additional SP; and into the case of the Nagaland Police truck found at Pillai’s residence in Pandalam.
The BAN also appealed to the Governor of Nagaland to “immediately intervene and ensure that the President’s Medal for Meritorious Service awarded to Pillai is scrapped and salvage the Nagaland Police image and the Naga people.”
It further sought investigation into the dealings of others reportedly associated with Pillai, including their businesses, bank accounts and assets. The BAN called for a probe into “contract and supplies worth thousands of crores” which it alleged was “awarded under-table,” as well as into the alleged “misappropriation of police modernisation fund.”
“The manipulation in Police Department,” the BAN said, “has robbed many in the business community and genuine entrepreneurs of opportunities in the past and present. Particularly those who are genuinely running motor vehicle spare shops, motor vehicle repairing shops, construction and supply works etc.” “Whereas the benamis firms and few firms get all the contract and supply works under the table,” the BAN said.
“Likewise, the endless backdoor appointments made in police department have robbed many educated unemployed youth for equal opportunity to compete,” it added.
