KOHIMA, FEBRUARY 25: The committee on government assurances has decided not to pursue the alleged backdoor appointments, or what the Government claims as excess appointments, in Nagaland Police.
The committee, during its introductory meeting held on July 1 last year, had examined and decided not to pursue the matter any further and appreciated the Home department for initiating ‘preventive measures to control excess appointments’.
This observation was tabled in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on February 15, during the budget session.
But according to the Annual Report of Lokayukta, the matter is still under enquiry.
On March 23, 2017, through a supplementary question to starred question then MLA, Tokheho Yepthomi had sought clarification from the then Home Minister on excess appointment.
The Home department had furnished the reply stating that all unit commanders were directed not to make further recruitment and appointment unless there is a clear vacancy. Further, the Police Headquarters issued a direction to freeze the respective unit strength as per the monthly return submitted as on December 31, 2017.
It added that the freezing of unit strength on the basis of December monthly return shall not mean regularization of excess appointments made and that all appointments made after December 31, 20017 shall be liable to be terminated, and action shall be taken against the erring unit commanders with ‘adverse remark’ made in the APAR.
The reply stated that the Home department had on September 9, 2018, directed to constitute a committee at the Police Headquarters to scrutinize all requests and applications received by the unit commanders on monthly basis.
The scrutiny report of the committee shall be put up to the Director General of Police (DGP) who will give concurrence to the same following which the unit commanders may appoint these personnel after conveying approval to the DGP.
Also the Home department had on December 3, 2018, relaxed the ban and freeze imposed on appointment on constables and NCEs and directed that the appointment for these ranks shall be carried out only against the clear vacancies.
Accordingly, a scrutiny committee was constituted with IGP (Hqr) as chairman, DIG (Hqr)-member and AIG (Adm)-member secretary.
The State Government has decided to conduct inquiry against the 21 unit commanders, district SPs, and battalion COs, and has directed the DGP for submission of draft charges and imputations against the officers. The issue is under process.
In the last couple of years, student organisations and some tribal bodies have come out against alleged backdoor appointment in the Police Department and demanded justice.
The tribal organisations have even opposed those backdoor/excessive appointees getting trained at the police training school in Chümoukedima.
The organisations were of the view that the government is trying to shift the blame of backdoor/excessive appointments to unit commanders and SPs. (Page News Service)
