Leaders of state party in power are in the habit of claiming off and on that there is Peace in Nagaland or that it at least has been better than Congress ruled state, but if peace be tranquility, serenity, mental calm without civil disorder then Peace in Nagaland now is in its lowest ebb. Extortion and Kidnapping in Nagaland especially in Dimapur as far as one can see has become the most rampant in these 3 (three) months, with various groups and individual taking advantage of the vulnerable environment provided. Voicing concern over kidnapping and extortion, the Dimapur and Kohima Chamber of Commerce and Industries in the Month of November has rightly stated that the state Government has not been ‘vigilant enough’ and that this ‘epidemic’ might spread across Nagaland if the state Government do not take effective measures at the earliest. The state Government is either too arrogant to pay heed to the voice of the people or not competent enough to handle the law and order in Nagaland for they were even told by arrested NDFB cadres on 22nd Oct.2010 at Dimapur that ‘several militants were using Dimapur as their hot bed to carry out extortions and rackets not only in Nagaland but also in the other parts of North East Indian states’. The number of extortion and kidnap appear to have increased despite being forewarned. The few that appeared in the Newspaper during the past 3 (three) months are: -
(1) Not long after the abduction and Murder of Pransenjit Dhar and Sanjay Das, on Nov. 9th 2010 some extortionist extorted more than Rs 64,500 in cash and Rs. 69,970 valuable worth form jewelry shops. One businessman was injured in the head with a pistol by extortionist.
(2) On 13th Nov. 2010, another person was apprehended by Dimapur Police while collecting tax from shopkeepers at City Tower area Dimapur.
(3) On 14th Nov. 2010, unidentified armed miscreants abducted Asst. conservator of Forest in-charge officer of Peren Range and four others, they looted cash and other items.
(4) On 25th Nov. 2010, Hariram Gupta a well known businessman was kidnapped by some unknown (known) miscreants.
(5) On 13th Nov. 2010, 24 AR personnel had also arrested 2 (two) person and recovered arms and ammunition and huge amount of cash.
(6) On 17th and 20th Nov. 2010, a total of 4 (four) person was apprehended by the Assam Rifles, they were found possessing a lot of cash and tax collection receipt.
(7) On 26th Nov. 2010, a Government Vehicle driver was kidnapped by person known for forgery and extortion at Kohima.
(8) On 26th Nov. 2010, 2 (two) armed goons arrived in a Bolero, barged into a shop and fled away with a cash box and some documents at GS Road Dimapur.
(9) On 2nd Dec. 2010, Bipin Das a garage owner was kidnapped for ransom. He was released after a lot of hues and cry by the public.
(10) On 8th Dec. 2010, 2 (two) Jorhat based businessmen was kidnapped from a hotel in Dimapur.
(11) On 13th Dec. 2010, another extortionist was held by the NAP (IR) at Durga Mandir in Dimapur.
(12) On 13th Dec. 2010, SNE Tuensang Depositors were fleeced of Rs. 1.12 lacs according to media correspondent report.
(13) On 28th Dec. 2010, Kohima Police recovered a stolen Mahindra Max Jeep and arrested 5 (five) person in this connection.
(14) The year 2011 opened with nothing less than the murder of one Auto Driver on the 4th January 2011. The Auto Drivers Association cautioned that it would resort to its own course if the authorities failed the deliver justice at the earliest.
(15) 15 year old girl was raped on 3rd Jan. 2011, 1 (one) minor girl was raped on 7th Jan and 21 year old physically challenged girl was gang raped on 9th Jan. 2011. (Rape committed at other times not recorded).
(16) On the 8th Jan. 2011 unidentified person kidnapped one M.D. Raphikul Hussian Chaudary.
(17) On 13th Jan. 2011 4 (four) armed Highway extortionist were apprehended by Kohima Police in between Kohima and Chakhabama. The Police recovered money totaling Rs. 62,440 with one pistol and six live rounds.
(18) On 17th Jan. 2011 4 (four) armed miscreants were arrested by personnel’s from North Police Station Kohima in connection with kidnap and forgery.
(19) On 19th Jan. 2011 1 (one) physically challenged vegetable wholesaler Jiyalal Prasad was kidnapped near DhobiNala Dimapur. The vegetable retailers and wholesaler refused to do business in protect.
(20) On the 27th Jan. 2011 I saw an Alto Car being stolen, it was recovered that very night (Need not mention all for stealing of vehicle is nothing new, it is a daily affair here).
(21) On 31st Jan. 2011 some unknown miscreants abducted Sudeep Das proprietor of Royal Graphics Dimapur for ransom.
(22) On 22nd Jan. 2011 2 (two) businessmen named Norul Haque and Ajmed, residents of D.C. Court Junction Dimapur were abducted from Hongkong Market by 3 (three) person posing as undergrounds.
This list does not include unreported cases, under threat payments, so called unforced collection that cause the rise of price nor all the cases taken up the Police or else the list would go on and on. No wonder the all Manipur Transport and Motor Works Union on the 27th Jan. 2011 decided not to ply NH 39 (now 29) that is to Manipur via Dimapur, Kohima and instead shall ply NH-53 in view of better security and safety. And off course being true to its state of being, 36 (thirty six) stolen vehicles were released in January 2011 either on Zimma or disposed off by the court and all the accused obtained bail. This crime wave in Dimapur and its surroundings by far exceeds the crime committed in Nagaland at other times. The Crime rate of Dimapur if recorded thoroughly will be many times higher than the Crime rate of big cities in other places having ten times more population than Dimapur. It is high time for the people living in Nagaland especially those in power and those people capable of influence or to educate to ponder over this deplorable state so that a right step can be taken to bring about change for better.
It indeed is good to hear that the offensive steps and stringent penalty is restrained to some extent for ‘Reconciliation and Unity among the Nagas’ but it is not nourishing enough to learn that it has emboldened one to commit crime randomly. ‘Egui – Close policy’ may have made some come closer and become friendly but this should not have made one to become self-complacent in their view or over bearing in their acts unless undue advantage or privilege is given to only certain individual, groups or tribes. Juxtaposing this disordered state, the failure to implement the right policy to keep the youths occupied & productive and to check unwanted activity beforehand, now makes the police personnel’s bear the extra burden of chasing criminals day and night.
Whatever the state be, it is the duty of the Government to sustain the outcome of their policy, and a bounden duty of the opposition in any democratic set up to keep a check on the ruling party to ensure good governance wherein the safety, security and welfare of its citizens are adequately covered. So when Dr. Hoshi the Chairperson of NPCC Media Cell, the state unit of BJP and RJD charged the Home Minister for expressing his inability to check unwanted activity, they were doing their duty. After calling names and using brash languages by some, the blame was shifted to the judiciary to which the Dimapur Bar Association in no uncertain terms replied that ‘only after police investigation is completed the accused person is forwarded to judicial custody and the court proceedings are carried out, basing on the report of the police which is under Home Minister’s jurisdiction. The Association also asserted that, ‘such unfounded, malicious and vindictive allegation coming from highly placed officials only showed their ignorance’. They further stated, ‘such allegation was not only intolerable but also a liability to the state because the state has vested them with highest responsibility’. Is it not fair to ask thus- How has violence level come down?, where is ‘Peace’ in Nagaland?, Isn’t it because of slack law and order?, Is the policy tainted? or Is it true that all enquiry team that is set up in Nagaland can be easily bribed?
(1) Not long after the abduction and Murder of Pransenjit Dhar and Sanjay Das, on Nov. 9th 2010 some extortionist extorted more than Rs 64,500 in cash and Rs. 69,970 valuable worth form jewelry shops. One businessman was injured in the head with a pistol by extortionist.
(2) On 13th Nov. 2010, another person was apprehended by Dimapur Police while collecting tax from shopkeepers at City Tower area Dimapur.
(3) On 14th Nov. 2010, unidentified armed miscreants abducted Asst. conservator of Forest in-charge officer of Peren Range and four others, they looted cash and other items.
(4) On 25th Nov. 2010, Hariram Gupta a well known businessman was kidnapped by some unknown (known) miscreants.
(5) On 13th Nov. 2010, 24 AR personnel had also arrested 2 (two) person and recovered arms and ammunition and huge amount of cash.
(6) On 17th and 20th Nov. 2010, a total of 4 (four) person was apprehended by the Assam Rifles, they were found possessing a lot of cash and tax collection receipt.
(7) On 26th Nov. 2010, a Government Vehicle driver was kidnapped by person known for forgery and extortion at Kohima.
(8) On 26th Nov. 2010, 2 (two) armed goons arrived in a Bolero, barged into a shop and fled away with a cash box and some documents at GS Road Dimapur.
(9) On 2nd Dec. 2010, Bipin Das a garage owner was kidnapped for ransom. He was released after a lot of hues and cry by the public.
(10) On 8th Dec. 2010, 2 (two) Jorhat based businessmen was kidnapped from a hotel in Dimapur.
(11) On 13th Dec. 2010, another extortionist was held by the NAP (IR) at Durga Mandir in Dimapur.
(12) On 13th Dec. 2010, SNE Tuensang Depositors were fleeced of Rs. 1.12 lacs according to media correspondent report.
(13) On 28th Dec. 2010, Kohima Police recovered a stolen Mahindra Max Jeep and arrested 5 (five) person in this connection.
(14) The year 2011 opened with nothing less than the murder of one Auto Driver on the 4th January 2011. The Auto Drivers Association cautioned that it would resort to its own course if the authorities failed the deliver justice at the earliest.
(15) 15 year old girl was raped on 3rd Jan. 2011, 1 (one) minor girl was raped on 7th Jan and 21 year old physically challenged girl was gang raped on 9th Jan. 2011. (Rape committed at other times not recorded).
(16) On the 8th Jan. 2011 unidentified person kidnapped one M.D. Raphikul Hussian Chaudary.
(17) On 13th Jan. 2011 4 (four) armed Highway extortionist were apprehended by Kohima Police in between Kohima and Chakhabama. The Police recovered money totaling Rs. 62,440 with one pistol and six live rounds.
(18) On 17th Jan. 2011 4 (four) armed miscreants were arrested by personnel’s from North Police Station Kohima in connection with kidnap and forgery.
(19) On 19th Jan. 2011 1 (one) physically challenged vegetable wholesaler Jiyalal Prasad was kidnapped near DhobiNala Dimapur. The vegetable retailers and wholesaler refused to do business in protect.
(20) On the 27th Jan. 2011 I saw an Alto Car being stolen, it was recovered that very night (Need not mention all for stealing of vehicle is nothing new, it is a daily affair here).
(21) On 31st Jan. 2011 some unknown miscreants abducted Sudeep Das proprietor of Royal Graphics Dimapur for ransom.
(22) On 22nd Jan. 2011 2 (two) businessmen named Norul Haque and Ajmed, residents of D.C. Court Junction Dimapur were abducted from Hongkong Market by 3 (three) person posing as undergrounds.
This list does not include unreported cases, under threat payments, so called unforced collection that cause the rise of price nor all the cases taken up the Police or else the list would go on and on. No wonder the all Manipur Transport and Motor Works Union on the 27th Jan. 2011 decided not to ply NH 39 (now 29) that is to Manipur via Dimapur, Kohima and instead shall ply NH-53 in view of better security and safety. And off course being true to its state of being, 36 (thirty six) stolen vehicles were released in January 2011 either on Zimma or disposed off by the court and all the accused obtained bail. This crime wave in Dimapur and its surroundings by far exceeds the crime committed in Nagaland at other times. The Crime rate of Dimapur if recorded thoroughly will be many times higher than the Crime rate of big cities in other places having ten times more population than Dimapur. It is high time for the people living in Nagaland especially those in power and those people capable of influence or to educate to ponder over this deplorable state so that a right step can be taken to bring about change for better.
It indeed is good to hear that the offensive steps and stringent penalty is restrained to some extent for ‘Reconciliation and Unity among the Nagas’ but it is not nourishing enough to learn that it has emboldened one to commit crime randomly. ‘Egui – Close policy’ may have made some come closer and become friendly but this should not have made one to become self-complacent in their view or over bearing in their acts unless undue advantage or privilege is given to only certain individual, groups or tribes. Juxtaposing this disordered state, the failure to implement the right policy to keep the youths occupied & productive and to check unwanted activity beforehand, now makes the police personnel’s bear the extra burden of chasing criminals day and night.
Whatever the state be, it is the duty of the Government to sustain the outcome of their policy, and a bounden duty of the opposition in any democratic set up to keep a check on the ruling party to ensure good governance wherein the safety, security and welfare of its citizens are adequately covered. So when Dr. Hoshi the Chairperson of NPCC Media Cell, the state unit of BJP and RJD charged the Home Minister for expressing his inability to check unwanted activity, they were doing their duty. After calling names and using brash languages by some, the blame was shifted to the judiciary to which the Dimapur Bar Association in no uncertain terms replied that ‘only after police investigation is completed the accused person is forwarded to judicial custody and the court proceedings are carried out, basing on the report of the police which is under Home Minister’s jurisdiction. The Association also asserted that, ‘such unfounded, malicious and vindictive allegation coming from highly placed officials only showed their ignorance’. They further stated, ‘such allegation was not only intolerable but also a liability to the state because the state has vested them with highest responsibility’. Is it not fair to ask thus- How has violence level come down?, where is ‘Peace’ in Nagaland?, Isn’t it because of slack law and order?, Is the policy tainted? or Is it true that all enquiry team that is set up in Nagaland can be easily bribed?
Inavi Jimomi
Gen. Secretary, NPCC
Gen. Secretary, NPCC
