DIMAPUR:
The Nagaland government has decided to close all check gates, including those set up by the police, to curb alleged illegal collection of money from vehicles by any entity or individual, with immediate effect.
A statement issued on May 19 said that the Governor of Nagaland has ordered the closure of all check gates, including those set up by the departments – municipal and town councils – immediately throughout the state. Only the interstate check gates will be allowed to function till May 31. Beyond that date, all check gates will 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 is set up or functioning, for whatsoever reasons, it will be removed or closed forthwith.
The state government, on Thursday, said that despite issuing several directives in this regard, authorities continue to receive reports of alleged illegal collection of money on roads and at various check gates by organisations, groups, government agencies and private individuals, among others.
The release also added that 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 will be referred through the administrative head of department or head of department concerned with justifications to the home department for consideration. Only after getting prior approval of the government, the check gate will be set up by the department concerned.
The government directed that after closing the check gate at any location in compliance with this order, every department concerned will dismantle and completely remove any temporary structure/building standing at the location, to remove the possibility of anyone else misusing the structure/space left behind, for illegal collections purposes.
The deputy commissioner in every district has been directed to constitute an inspection team comprising the ADC (HQ), additional SP or additional DCP, district transport officer, and the district public relations officer to ensure that there is no check gate functional on any road in the district in violation of this order.