Nagaland: Whether 17 officers or 71 politicians, corrupt people should be punished, says NPF leader Azo

 Whether 17 officers or 71 politicians, corrupt people should be punished, says Azo 

"Nagaland desperately needs police reform" 

New Delhi

NPF legislature party leader Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu has taken cognizance of the statement by BJP leader Dilip Jaiswal that ED probe has been launched against 17 officers and stated that corruption in any manner should be taken seriously and investigation in any manner  must be welcomed by one and all in order to deliver good governance and justice to the people.

However, he hastened to add, "I do not know who these officials are...and which departments they belong to. But if there are corruption cases then the probe should be expedited to bring out the truth. Law of the land should take its course".

'Nagaland Page'

"Whether it is 17 officers or 71 politicians and business people. If there was corruption, it's a cancer and so the law should take its course and wrong doers should be punished," Azo told 'Nagaland Page' over phone.

Dilip Jaiswal, Member of Legislative Council (MLC) of Bihar, and also State BJP in-charge for Sikkim  during a media interaction at Dimapur on June 15 claimed - “There are 17 senior officers of Nagaland government whose files have been opened and were under investigation by the ED".

To a question, Azo said, "I am not authenticating what Jaiswal has said. Because I am not privy to any information at my level. But because he is an important BJP leader, I take his words made at a press conference seriously".

He said, "I agree to the extent that Shri Jaiswal has said corruption is really like a cancer...either in Nagaland or elsewhere, it is a serious matter".

Azo Nienu, who served as Home Minister for a brief period between December 2017 to March 2018, said, "A few days back you all in 'Nagaland Page' reported something about the need for police reform. I cannot agree more. Police reform will go a long way in curbing corruption across India and I have spoken about the matter in the state assembly as well".

"I have handled the Home portfolio briefly. But I understood even at the state level it is a vital responsibility 

so I believe if the Home department is not disciplined then the whole state will not be in order, if the Home 

department is organised then the whole state will be organised. So, if the Home department collapses, the 

whole system in our state can collapse".

Recalling what he had said on the floor of the assembly, the five-term MLA from Phek said , "One time this portfolio used to be with the Chief Minister or senior ministers. Now it is under Deputy CM Y Patton. 

He is an experienced hand, and so I said on the floor of the assembly that the onetime most respected department must be given back its dignity". But he also lamented that the 'reform' will show results only if politicians stop interfering in the discharge of professional duties by the cops.

"I may regret to admit that this department has collapsed perhaps because of the interference of politicians like us. Because of us not even a single criminal can be arrested because we politicians protect them, the police officers cannot perform their duty because we interfere". 

"Politicians like us must stop interfering in the Home department to make Nagaland a better place...there should not be any more nepotism, tribalism etc". 

Answering questions, he suggested that the police wing comprising police station staff, crime branch and Economic Offence Wing need to be strengthened. "In Nagaland out of 26,000 strong force, 19,000 are combatant form, that is almost 70% ready to fight insurgents etc. That's why serious Reorganisation and Restructuring of the Nagaland Police is needed to improve general policing".

Moreover, there has to be enhanced Internet Connectivity in the whole state as there is an increase in cyber crimes, economic offences and organised crimes. Nagaland has "very poor" Forensic abilities, these ought to be improved, he said.

"We also need to take steps for the Constitution of an Prosecution Directorate....It is a must. This will help to minimise criminal activities responsibilities should be fixed or else criminal activities will keep increasing." Mr Azo said.

ends