Recommends suspension of VDB Longsa

Dimapur, May 18: The High Level Inquiry Committee constituted by the Government to look into the causes and circumstances leading to the assault on DC Wokha, Rovilatuo has recommended immediate suspension of VDB of Longsa village as a punitive measure and till normalcy returns.

The committee pointed out that as a lot of tension still prevails in the village due to the two opposing parties taking firm stand to ensure that there candidate is elected/selected as the VDB secretary and also because the matter is still under investigation, it recommended suspension of the VDB election till situation comes back to normal.

The report also recommended that the persons responsible for the act of vandalism and the 12 persons who walked out should be prosecuted vigorously and the trial of the accused be shifted to another district to ensure that local pressures and issue do not impinge upon free and fair trial. It also suggested immediate departmental action against Zuchamo, OC of Songro Police Station.

As long term measures, the committee opined that it would be an important policy decision of the State Government to ensure a healthy mix of different tribes/communities in the district police force throughout the State in order to maintain impartiality and a healthy respect for law.

It was also of the view that the administration must be in readiness to deal with any situation and the presence of magistrates along with police must be ensured whenever any such situation occurs.

The committee also stressed the need to train the police in crowd control and riot management with necessary gear such as riot guns, tear gas etc as opening fire is the last option which is generally not resorted to. It also recommended laying down of eligibility criteria and rules governing elections to the local bodies since there is fierce competition in election of these bodies due to huge flow of funds to the VDBs in recent years and also to ensure that there is no ambiguity. (Page News Service)