Nagaland Police to Host Inaugural Regional Anti-Narcotics Conference Under ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ Mission

Nagaland Director General of Police (DGP) Rupin Sharma announced that the Nagaland Police, in collaboration with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), will host a two-day Regional Anti-Narcotics Task Force Conference on November 13 and 14 at Chumoukedima. The conference will gather police representatives from all Northeastern states and West Bengal to address the rising challenges of drug trafficking in the region. This initiative forms part of the national Nasha Mukt Bharat mission, and it will focus on enforcement strategies, supply reduction, rehabilitation, and de-addiction efforts. Senior officials from the central government are expected to attend, and the conference aims to deliberate on the challenges posed by narcotics trafficking both within and from the Northeast while formulating recommendations for effective cooperation among states.

DGP Sharma emphasized that this will be the first regional conference of its kind under the Nasha Mukt Bharat mission. The conference is intended to foster collaboration between states and law enforcement agencies, ensuring coordinated efforts against drug trafficking, with a focus on both preventive and corrective measures.

Sharma also provided updates regarding the ongoing Nagaland Police recruitment drive. He announced that the last date for online applications has been extended by 15 days—from November 7—to accommodate candidates facing delays in securing necessary documents, such as indigenous certificates. He addressed public concerns regarding the Rs 300 examination fee, clarifying that registration on the online portal is free and remains valid for all future recruitments. However, the payment is required only to appear for the examination. He explained that the development of the online portal cost approximately Rs 40 lakh, and additional expenses cover OTPs, SMS notifications, and the three-tier selection process.

The DGP highlighted that the police department is not seeking profit from the recruitment process. Efforts have been made to reduce costs wherever possible, including producing badges in-house to save funds. The digital system for recruitment has also helped reduce travel and accommodation expenses for candidates, saving each applicant between Rs 5,000 and Rs 6,000.

Regarding Nagaland’s forensic infrastructure, Sharma noted that the state’s forensic laboratory in Dimapur is well-equipped to handle approximately 1,200–1,300 investigation cases annually. However, efforts are ongoing to improve district-level forensic response capabilities. Proposals are being prepared for submission to the state government to ensure faster deployment of forensic teams to crime scenes, particularly in serious cases under the new criminal laws.

Additional DGP (Law & Order) Sandeep Tamgadge stated that work orders have been issued to deploy mobile forensic vans across all districts. He also mentioned that new posts for scientific officers and assistants are being created to strengthen the state’s forensic services.

Sharma emphasized that the future of forensic support in Nagaland is not just about setting up new laboratories but also about decentralizing resources and enhancing mobility. This approach will ensure that forensic teams can reach crime scenes quickly and efficiently, providing timely support to investigations. The combined focus on enforcement, recruitment efficiency, and forensic capability reflects the state police’s commitment to tackling crime comprehensively while improving transparency, efficiency, and public service.