DIMAPUR, Feb 27 – Nagaland Police chief reacting to the allegations levelled by various non-Congress political parties that personnel of both the recently raised Indian Reserve Battalions (IRB) had favoured ‘one’ political party, said the complaints have been enquired into through various sources and the report has been submitted to the government.
Terming the IRB personnel as the most disciplined and well trained to tackle any situation, Hesso Mao, Director General of Police, Nagaland vehemently denying the accusations said they had been properly briefed before being deployed for elections duty stressing on non-involvement in the activities of any political parties and to ensure equal justice and treatment to all concerned.
Mao, on allegations levelled against the IRB personnel behaving like ‘terrorists’ and being in league with certain political parties who in turn use them as a physical force to create fear psychosis in the minds of the people, clarified that IRB men close work in a co-ordinated manner with Assam Rifles and local police and as such there is no question of IRB personnel behaving like terrorists. The DGP said such allegations would not serve any purpose unless the complainant comes forward with clear-cut evidence. He further assured that immediate appropriate disciplinary actions would be initiated against any erring personnel if proper evidence was found.
The Superintendent of police, Mokokchung Kewetso Mero refuting a similar allegation levelled by former deputy chief minister and senior functionary of Nagaland People’s Front IK Sema that the IRBs deployed in Mokokchung, the home district of state Chief Minister SC Jamir, are being remote controlled by the higher ups and also that the SP has no control over them, clarified that the allegations are totally ‘false’.
Mero said the 9 Nagaland Armed Police (IRB) personnel deployed in the district are performing their duties sincerely and effectively without any bias towards any party or group. The DGP, Nagaland said the whole of Nagaland Police (10 battalions) were under deputation to the Election Commission of India for the purpose, therefore it was amply clear that police could not in any manner act in favour of particular parties or against some others.