Nagaland’s crime rate declines

December 15, 2020 80 Views No Comment

STATE POLICE FORMS SPECIAL INVESTIGATION TEAM TO TACKLE EXTORTION CASES

Correspondent KOHIMA, DEC 14 (NPN) : Taking serious note of extortion activities in the state, Nagaland Police has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to handle such cases, ADGP (Law & Order) Renchamo P. Kikon said, in an exclusive interview to Nagaland Post.

Kikon also disclosed that the department has received directives from authorities to carry out extensive anti-extortion drive.

ADGP said unabated extortion has become a matter of serious concern for the state police as well as the public at large and business community in particular.

While informing that the SIT had recently arrested some functionaries of certain groups, Kikon assured the public that there will be no let up in the fight against extortion activities and that the police force will continue monitoring such activities.

Lamenting that most of the victims do not come out to lodge complaint with the police, Kikon said the police has however been taking suo moto cognizance of such cases and registered cases He therefore urged the public to approach/lodge complaint with the police when faced with such demands.

Talking to Nagaland Post, a Dimapur-based businessman, on condition of anonymity, said that there has been rampant demand of illegal taxation/extortion in the State’s commercial hub particularly during the festive season.

“Every businessman has been affected by the lockdown. And the way we are being harassed to pay taxes has added more salt to the injury,” he added.

Dimapur leads crime incidents

Dimapur district leads the crime statistics even as Nagaland witnessed a decline in crime rate in 2020 as compared to the preceding years,.

As per the crime statistics till October 2020, the state registered 844 cases under various heads (rape, murder, extortion, kidnapping etc.) while under local and special laws 392 cases were registered (arms act, NDPS, NSR, Explosive substance Act and other special laws etc.)

Out of 844 cases, Dimapur registered the highest number of cases at 560 followed by Kohima- 68 and Mon- 55. Under local and special laws, Dimapur topped the list with 145 cases out of 392 followed by Mokokchung- 62 and Mon- 50.

Compilation of crime report for the month of November was under process.

ADGP (L&O) Renchamo P Kikon said that the State witnessed a significant decline in crime rates during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, where strict restrictions on movement of vehicles, closure of business activities etc. were imposed.

It may be noted that in 2019, 1169 crime cases were registered under various heads while 658 cases were registered under local and special laws.

Kikon said that the law and order situation in the State was by and large peaceful except for the November 16 Thongtso village incident and the recent border issues.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/nagaland-s-crime-rate-declines/226147.html