Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) has expressed disappointed over the “forced replacement” of Rupin Sharma (IPS) as DGP by an officer, who it said, was “much junior to him in service.”
The forum met and submitted a Memorandum to the Governor of Nagaland on June 22, in which it sought the intervention of the Governor in the matter to ensure that the government acts constitutionally following all sets of rules while appointing the new DGP in the state of Nagaland.
“The action of the State Government is against the IPS (Regulation of Seniority) Rules, 1988 and against the wishes of the people of Nagaland who openly demanded his retention” it said.
NPRAFF cited to the Supreme court judgement of April 24, 2017 which ruled that the head of police force in the state and DGP cannot be removed merely on the basis of the chief minister losing confidence in the person.
Calling the action an insult to an honest police officer who refused to bow down to “Mantris” and “Babus” for corruption, the forum said that such unethical action would demoralize honest public servants.
It questioned if Sharma did not qualify for the criterion of 30 years of service to become the DGP, then what criteria was being applied for the new DGP. It also asked if Sharma, who has 27 years of service, was appointed a stop-gap measure, then what was the need to appoint another officer with 20 years of service, to be in turn replaced by T. John Longkumer who also only had 28 years of service.
NPRAAF appealed to the government to follow the set criteria of 30 years of service in appointing the new DGP, and if there was no choice, to continue with Rupin Sharma.
It also appealed to the government to not bring in any police officer as DGP who does not qualify the criteria to become DGP as it would set the wrong precedence. It also asked that Sharma be reverted back as the DGP until the Centre approves a new DGP who fulfils the 30 years of service criterion. At the meeting with the Governor, NPRAAF alleged that the state government had worked overtime to replace Rupin Sharma as DGP.
It expressed anguish that, Sharma was threatened with disciplinary action on allegation that he had orchestrated a protest in his support. NPRAAF requested the Governor not to allow the government to make intimidating statements based on unfounded allegations.
The Governor assured the NPRAAF delegation that he would take the matter up with the chief minister and central Home Ministry immediately.