Nagaland Governor R.N. Ravi on Thursday said security cannot be fragmented between the States and stressed the need for an integrated approach towards fighting insurgency in the Northeast.
Ravi said this while addressing the first day of the two-day 26th conference of DGPs, IGPs and heads of central police organisations of the Northeast at Nagaland Police Complex, Chumukedima in Dimapur.
Ravi termed the institution of police chiefs as a powerful forum for creating a congenital atmosphere.
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The conference was held under the theme “changing paradigm of challenges and police preparedness”.
Observing that there has been a remarkable improvement in security situation in the region, the Governor acknowledged the good works of the police, central armed police forces and security agencies.
Ravi, who is also the interlocutor for Naga peace talks, stressed that the policing thrust now has to shift in day-to-day professional policing, which was grossly neglected during the long counter-insurgency period.
“The dividends of peace must reach the common man and addressing their security concerns should be our priority,” Ravi said.
He observed that basic policing performance parameters of the region have not been “so satisfactory”.
Ravi said prevention and detection of crimes, scientific investigation of the cases and successful prosecution of criminals needs to be accorded priority by the police.
“Performance evaluation of police stations and district police should be based on these parameters,” said Ravi and urged the police chiefs to pay special attention to it.
He said the protracted insurgencies in the region have led to proliferation of illicit arms and illicit arms trade.
Ravi pointed out that recent seizures of arms in other parts of India have revealed Northeast linkages.
Ravi urged the police chiefs for launching sustained drives in their states against illicit fire arms.
The Governor was optimistic that the two-day conference would further strengthen the security cooperation amongst them and also generate good workable policy inputs to help make the Northeast region a paradise of peace and prosperity.
Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister Y. Patton, who was also present at the conference, said secure and peaceful environment is pre-requisite for sustained development.
He added that the role of police and security agencies towards the endeavour has become manifold.
Patton, who also holds the home portfolio, spoke on the security concerns in the region because of unprecedented influx of illegal immigrants, porous international boundary, drug trafficking, rapid increase in the use of information and communication technology system, emerging challenges of cybercrime criminals etc.
He said all these have interstate ramifications for the whole of region. He added said that it was crucial for the stakeholders to ensure that such conferences are held to deliberate on issues of security and formulate strategies to effectively deal with the challenges.
The Nagaland Gvernor hoped the conference would help in making the Northeast a safer and peaceful region.