Director General of Police (DGP) Rupin Sharma on Monday mentioned the Nagaland Police is present process a serious transformation from a force historically centred on armed policing to one which prioritises scientific investigation, forensic proof and technology-driven policing in keeping with the nation’s new prison legal guidelines.
Addressing a press convention after the flagging off of 549 new police automobiles, Sharma mentioned that whereas Nagaland Police had traditionally targeted on armed policing due to the state’s safety state of affairs, investigation-related capabilities had not acquired equal consideration prior to now.
Responding to a query on what the division and the state authorities are doing to strengthen investigation, Director General of Police (DGP) Rupin Sharma mentioned Nagaland Police is present process a big shift from its conventional deal with armed policing in direction of scientific and technology-driven investigation.
He mentioned that historically the force had been constructed round armed policing due to the state’s safety necessities, with comparatively much less emphasis on investigation, CID power and scientific investigative instruments. However, with the implementation of the brand new prison legal guidelines and altering policing practices throughout the nation, investigation has now turn out to be a key precedence.
Sharma mentioned that over the previous three to three-and-a-half years, the Police Headquarters has made a aware effort to strengthen investigative capabilities. Apart from upgrading routine investigative gear, the State Forensic Science Laboratory has additionally been considerably modernised over the past 4 years.
Highlighting the newly inducted Mobile Forensic Vans, he clarified that the automobiles are far more than transport models.
“These are not just vans for carrying personnel or lifting fingerprints. They are equipped with multiple forensic tools. If a mobile phone, laptop or any electronic device is seized at the scene of crime, the van has the capability to create clone copies of the devices on the spot, which will greatly assist investigations,” he mentioned.
The DGP added that the vans carry a number of specialised forensic devices, the detailed specs of which might be shared individually by the Police Headquarters.
Describing the automobiles as a serious step ahead for scientific policing in Nagaland, Sharma mentioned they’d considerably enhance the standard and pace of prison investigations throughout the state.
He additional knowledgeable that Nagaland Police has been conducting common capacity-building programmes for investigating officers protecting cybercrime, forensic science and different specialised areas of investigation.
According to Sharma, officers working the cell forensic vans have already undergone a two-day specialised coaching programme. In addition, one other coaching programme on investigation of insurgency and terrorism-related instances, being performed with the help of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), was additionally scheduled to start.
Supplementing the DGP, Additional Director General of Police (L&O), Sandeep M Tamgadge mentioned that whereas trendy gear is crucial, it should be complemented by correct coaching to enhance the professionalism of the police force.
He mentioned the newly inducted Mobile Forensic Vans have turn out to be significantly vital following the implementation of the brand new prison legal guidelines, which mandate time-bound investigations and trials.
Under the brand new authorized framework, he famous, forensic examination has turn out to be obligatory in offences punishable with greater than seven years’ imprisonment, requiring forensic groups to go to the crime scene.
Sandeep defined that the vans are geared up with amenities not just for lifting fingerprints but in addition for amassing blood samples and different organic proof, conducting preliminary examination of narcotics and explosives, and dealing with cybercrime investigations, together with cloning knowledge from cell phones and digital units seized at crime scenes.
He added that the automobiles are additionally fitted with inverters and transportable mills, enabling them to perform successfully even in distant areas the place energy provide might not be obtainable.
“The idea is not to limit these facilities to Dimapur and Kohima alone. We have also taken into account remote districts such as Noklak and Shamator, where these vans will be equally useful,” he mentioned.
Acknowledging that procuring trendy gear alone can not remodel policing, Sandeep mentioned the division is concurrently investing in ability improvement via common coaching programmes, workshops and specialised programs.
These embody programmes on forensic science, investigation methods, cybercrime, terrorism and different specialised topics, performed in collaboration with organisations such because the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and NIELIT.
Nagaland Police goals to deploy forensic vans in each district, proposes Scene of Crime Officers
Responding to a question on the delayed arrival of forensic groups in latest instances, together with the rape of an aged girl the place investigators reached the scene the next day, Director General of Police (DGP) Rupin Sharma mentioned the long-term goal is to station at the very least one Mobile Forensic Van in each district.
However, he mentioned deployment is presently being deliberate primarily based on crime patterns and operational necessities to guarantee optimum utilisation of assets.
“Some districts witness relatively fewer serious crimes. If we permanently deploy a forensic van there, it may remain unused for most of the year. We have to deploy our resources judiciously so that they are available where the need is greater,” Sharma mentioned.
He defined that whereas the final word objective is district-wise deployment, the current technique is to place the vans strategically to allow them to rapidly attain neighbouring districts at any time when required.
“We have worked out a system where the forensic vans are located closer to districts that need them, so that instead of taking 24 or 36 hours to reach a crime scene, the response time can be reduced to around two hours,” he mentioned.
Responding to one other query on whether or not skilled personnel can be found to function the specialised automobiles, Sharma acknowledged that forensic science is a extremely technical discipline requiring specialised experience.
“A little bit of training has been given, but still forensics is a very technical and specialized job. We will either have to bring in new people or train existing ones,” he mentioned.
The DGP additionally pointed to an institutional subject relating to the administration of the forensic vans, noting that the State is within the course of of building a separate Directorate of Forensic Sciences, whereas the police proceed to function the primary responders at crime scenes.
To bridge this hole, Police Headquarters has proposed the creation of devoted Scene of Crime Officers, who would obtain specialised coaching in preserving and amassing forensic proof instantly after against the law is reported.
“The Scene of Crime Officers can work alongside the forensic team and the mobile forensic van. Since all evidence collected ultimately has to be examined in the forensic laboratory, both systems must function in close coordination,” Sharma mentioned.
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Recruitment of forensic specialists underway, extra specialised posts wanted
Responding to a query on the recruitment of technical specialists for forensic providers, Director General of Police (DGP) Rupin Sharma mentioned the Police Headquarters is conscious of the difficulty and has already initiated the recruitment course of via the State Government.
He mentioned Police Headquarters had submitted a proposal to the federal government requesting that vacancies be referred to the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) for recruitment.
“For filling up five posts, we have requested to NPSC through the state government. It has been advertised and and I am informed by the Special Secretary, Home, that those posts have already been advertised,” he mentioned.
While welcoming the recruitment course of, the DGP noticed that the State would require significantly extra technical manpower as forensic capabilities proceed to broaden.
He mentioned the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) would finally want extra specialised sections, branches and divisions to meet the rising calls for of scientific investigation underneath the brand new prison legal guidelines.
IED blast investigation progressing, NIA choice awaited
Responding to a query on the investigation into the latest IED blast and the reported involvement of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Director General of Police (DGP) Rupin Sharma mentioned Nagaland Police is actively pursuing a number of leads however declined to disclose operational particulars to keep away from compromising the investigation.
“We are following some leads. Some of the samples for the IEDs and all have been sent to the, have been collected and sent to the NSG for analysis. We are following some leads, both human intelligence as well as investigation leads. So it’s better that we don’t share anything,” Sharma mentioned.
He knowledgeable that forensic samples from the blast website have been despatched to the National Security Guard (NSG) for scientific evaluation.
Clarifying reviews that the case can be handed over to the NIA, Sharma defined that whereas the State Government can advocate such a switch, the ultimate choice rests with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India.
“The State Government may propose that a case be investigated by the NIA, but the final decision is taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs. As of now, no official communication has been received by us regarding that decision,” he mentioned.
Postmortems in unnatural demise instances are legally necessary
Responding to a question on the refusal of postmortems by members of the family in instances of unnatural deaths, Director General of Police (DGP) Rupin Sharma mentioned such conditions have been a longstanding problem in Nagaland, however burdened that postmortems are legally necessary in such instances.
He mentioned that though police usually face resistance due to the feelings of bereaved households, bypassing the authorized process just isn’t permissible.
“This is not a new problem. It has existed since I joined service in Nagaland. Legally, there has to be a postmortem. It is almost mandatory. Family members may request that it should not be conducted because of emotional or cultural reasons, but legally that is the wrong course of action and would amount to going against the law,” Sharma mentioned.
He urged the general public to report all crime-related incidents to the police and permit the authorized course of to take its course.
“There is state machinery and a legal procedure for handling such cases. I request everyone to cooperate with the police and report all crimes instead of bypassing the law,” he mentioned.
The DGP additionally appealed to landlords and tenants throughout the state to register themselves via the Nagaland Police tenant verification utility, saying it could significantly help investigations and enhance public security.
“We have developed an app for landlord and tenant registration. I request both landlords and tenants to use it. It will help us investigate crimes more effectively and enhance public safety,” he mentioned.
Sharma additional urged lodge homeowners and operators of lodging institutions to make use of the net visitor registration platform developed by the police. Earlier, accommodations have been required to submit visitor information manually to police stations.
Commenting on the general safety situation, Sharma mentioned the regulation and order state of affairs in Nagaland stays largely regular, though there’s a want for continued vigilance in view of developments in neighbouring Manipur.
“There may be occasional ripple effects from the situation in Manipur, but I sincerely thank the people of Nagaland, apex tribal bodies and civil society organisations for exercising restraint. It is a sensitive issue where even a single irresponsible statement can create problems,” he mentioned.
The DGP assured that the police and district administrations would proceed to work in shut coordination to keep peace and appealed to the general public to lengthen their cooperation.
“We will continue to do our part, and I request everyone to continue supporting efforts to preserve peace in the state,” Sharma added.