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Kohima, Nov 11: The Director General of Police (DGP) of Nagaland, Rupin Sharma, announced that a two-day Regional Anti-Narcotics Task Force Conference will be held on November 13 and 14 in Chumoukedima. This event is organized in collaboration with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and will include participation from all Northeastern states as well as West Bengal.

During a press briefing, Sharma mentioned that senior officials from the central government are anticipated to attend the conference.

"The discussions will focus on the issues related to narcotics trafficking affecting the Northeast and will aim to develop strategies for better cooperation and implementation among the states," Sharma explained.

This conference marks a significant milestone as it is the first of its kind in India under the national 'Nasha Mukt Bharat' initiative, which emphasizes supply reduction, law enforcement, rehabilitation, and de-addiction efforts.

Regarding the ongoing recruitment process for the Nagaland Police, the DGP informed that the deadline for online applications, which began on October 6, has been extended by 15 days from November 7 to assist candidates who are experiencing delays in obtaining necessary documents like indigenous certificates.

Addressing concerns about the Rs 300 application fee, Sharma clarified that while registration on the portal is free and remains valid for future recruitments, candidates must pay the fee to qualify for the examination.

In response to criticisms regarding the fee collection, he explained that the establishment of the recruitment portal incurred costs of nearly Rs 40 lakh, in addition to expenses for OTPs, SMS notifications, and the three-tier examination process, which includes physical tests, written exams, and interviews.

"It is important for the public to realize that we are not profiting from this. We are actively working to minimize costs, including producing badges in-house to save money," he stated.

Sharma also highlighted that the online application system has alleviated the burden on applicants, saving them travel and accommodation expenses that could range from Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000 per individual.

When asked about the forensic capabilities in the state, the DGP noted that Nagaland has a forensic laboratory in Dimapur, which is adequately equipped to manage approximately 1,200 to 1,300 investigation cases annually. Efforts are being made to enhance the response at the district level.

He mentioned that proposals will be submitted to the state government to facilitate quicker forensic team deployments to crime scenes, as required by the new criminal laws, especially for serious offenses carrying penalties of over seven years.

ADGP (Law & Order) Sandeep Tamgadge added that the government has approved the acquisition of mobile forensic vans for all districts, with work orders already in progress.

Additionally, the government is working on creating more positions for scientific officers and assistants to bolster forensic services.

"The future direction involves not just establishing new laboratories but also decentralizing resources and enhancing mobility to ensure that forensic assistance reaches crime scenes more swiftly," concluded DGP Sharma.