Chumoukedima, 23 June (MTNews): Nagaland’s Director General of Police (DGP), Rupin Sharma, highlighted the prevailing mindset in India that contributes to the challenges faced not only by police officers but also by society as a whole.
In his keynote address at a seminar held at Rhododendron Hall, Police Complex, Chumoukedima on Friday, 23 June, Sharma emphasized that molestation or rape victims are unfairly stigmatized, with a negative image or profile attached to their experiences.
In a bid to shift this damaging perspective, Sharma stressed the urgent need to educate the public and build momentum in transforming societal attitudes towards victims. He urged people not to perceive victims as individuals who have defiled or demeaned themselves, but rather to view their decision to report crimes to the police or relevant authorities as an act of courage.
Sharma further emphasized the importance of protecting the identities of victims and complainants, emphasizing the need for anonymity and confidentiality. “We should protect the identity of the victim and complainant and encourage women who have been wronged,” he emphasized.
The DGP in the seminar said that the working of women thana is important but the most important thing is sensitization of people about crime against women. Sharma emphasized that this sensitization is not only essential for effective investigations but also for enhancing trust and faith in the criminal justice system, which encompasses the law and the police.
As the implementing agency for the laws formulated, the police play a pivotal role in upholding justice, he said. Over the past 20 years, issues concerning women’s liberty, women’s rights, and the protection against crimes targeting women, including those committed by women themselves, have gained considerable prominence. In response, laws have been enacted, and legal provisions have been put in place to safeguard the identities of victims, he added.
Sharma emphasized that the purpose of an investigation is not to prove someone wrong, but rather to uncover the truth. Particularly in criminal cases, it is crucial to approach the investigation with an open mindset, considering all possibilities of what may have occurred or been reported.
He also highlighted the absence of any mechanism in Indian states to safeguard the identities of victims or complainants. To address this issue, he proposed assigning unique codes to victims or complainants as a means of ensuring their identity protection. Additionally, he urged officers to uphold meticulous record-keeping practices.
Sharma further pointed that Nagaland police are generally lacking in crime detection which includes crime against women. He said that when the people come to the police, they act as upholders of the law of the land and not police officers. He called on the officers to be sensitive on various issues, as their work is not just to stop crime but also to win over the trust and faith of the people.
The seminar was sponsored by the National Commission for Women (NCW) in collaboration with the Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) and Dimapur Police Commissionerate.