Eric Miachieo
Kohima | May 7
Seeking to clarify charges that the State government is “doing nothing” to maintain law and order in the State, Nagaland Home Minister Imkong L. Imchen today defended the government, literally shifting the blame to the judiciary. He maintained that whereas the State’s law enforcing agencies including the administration was doing its job by bringing criminals to book, these criminals are being let off without proper trial resulting in demoralization of the law enforcing agencies.
Addressing media persons at his official chambers today, the Home Minister however admitted that the fault also partly lies in the fact that most of the investigating officers and officers-in-charge in the police force, mostly being promotees, lack legal background thereby failing to provide evidence and information up to the expectations of the court while framing charges.
Coming to the defense of the government, he maintained that since the middle of last year, Nagaland was rated far better than any other State in the Northeastern region and perhaps even in the entire country on the issue of maintenance of law and order. He attributed the charges of failure to contain lawlessness to the “many who are only interested in the blame game rather than offering solution” and lamented that rather than defeating the undesirable activities these elements are affecting the whole system negatively.
While admitting that fratricidal killings relating to factional clashes posed the major problem in maintenance of law and order, he expressed relief that “somehow”, with the efforts of various NGOs and individuals in line with the government’s policy, these have been put to a halt. On behalf of the government, he conveyed immense gratitude to the factional leaders for paying heed to the cry of the public for peace.
Also, expressing serious concern over the rampant extortion activities by the factional groups, to which he pointed out, was seriously affecting the economic life of the State as well as the individuals, he made a fervent appeal to all to stop such activities and to give peace a chance for the people of Nagaland. Meanwhile, reminding that the police cannot perform without the cooperation from the public, he urged the public to share information with the police and law-enforcing agencies on such activities, assuring that secrecy would be strictly maintained and that security would be provided if required.
On his reference to the judiciary, the Home Minister, while acknowledging that the court, as a vital organ of democracy, has its own system and wisdom, made an appeal to the judiciary to apply its wisdom touching on the opinion of the general public in order to build a healthier society together. Parliamentary Secretary in-charge of Law & Justice, Yitachu, who was also present at the interaction, voiced similar opinion, insisting that as a vital organ of democracy, the judiciary should be bold enough and come out and uphold the opinion of the people. Admitting that the judiciary also comes under pressure, he appealed to the court to make room to navigate to give maximum justice to the people.
