Nagaland closes check gates across state

DIMAPUR, May 20 (NNN): In order to curb the ‘illegal collection’ of money from vehicles on the roads, the state government of Nagaland has notified on Thursday that it will take up several measures in this regard.
An official statement of the Nagaland government said that it had issued several directives in the past in this regard. Reports, however, continue to be received alleging illegal collection of money from vehicles on roads and at various check gates by organisations, groups, government agencies, private individuals, etc. In light of the reports and to prevent and curb the illegal collection of money from vehicles by any entity or individual, the Governor of Nagaland has issued an order for strict compliance of several directives by all concerned with immediate effect, the official statement also said.
One of the directives said that all police check gates, except the existing interstate check gates, shall be closed forthwith. Another directive said that the check gates set up by other departments, including by Municipal and Town Councils, shall also be immediately closed throughout the state, except the interstate check gates, which may function up till May 31, 2022, and beyond that date shall function only after obtaining the specific approval of the Home department. “If anywhere in the state a check gate by any organisation, group, or private individual, has been set up or functioning, for whatsoever reasons, that shall also be removed/closed forthwith,” another directive said.
In the event of additional inter or intra-district check gates required for unavoidable reasons by any department, including the police department, in any part of the state, the matter shall be referred through the AHOD/HOD concerned with justifications to the Home department for consideration, and only after getting prior approval of the government, the check gate will be set up by the department concerned.
Every department concerned after closing the check gate at any location in compliance with this order, shall dismantle and completely remove any temporary structure/building standing at the location and being used by it, to obviate the possibility of anyone else misusing the structure/space left behind for illegal collections purposes, the official statement of the Nagaland government also said.
The concerned deputy commissioner in every district shall constitute an ‘Inspection Team’ comprising the ADC(Hq), additional SP/ additional DCP, district transport officer, and the District Public Relations Officer (DPRO), which shall be responsible for ensuring that there is no check gate functional on any road in the district in violation of this order. The team will move with a section strength force to be provided by the respective SP/DCP, and regularly conduct surprise inspections to check if any unauthorised check gate is functional, and in the event of any such gate being found, including by private groups, individuals, all the persons manning the gates shall be prosecuted under sections 188 and 384 IPC. Disciplinary proceedings shall also be initiated by the department concerned against the government servants found involved, if any. Further, prompt steps shall be taken to dismantle and remove the unauthorised check gates put up by any department, local authority or organisation, the statement also said.
The Inspection Team shall also conduct comprehensive inspections of the functioning of the duly permitted check gates to satisfy themselves that no illegal collection of money is taking place. In the event of any illegal activity found, the matter shall be immediately brought to the notice of the deputy commissioner concerned who shall forthwith submit a report to the Home department through the commissioner, Nagaland, with his views. Further, the head of the office concerned in the district shall take penal action against the erring employees under the relevant sections of law besides initiation of disciplinary proceedings, the statement added.
The person in charge of any check gate shall ensure that except the government employees detailed by the department, no other private individual is present at any point of time in and around the premises/structure being used for check gates. The presence of any unauthorised person/group at or near the check gate shall be considered as sufficient proof of everyone colluding for the illegal collection of money and action as per law shall be taken against everyone.