The Additional Director General of Police (Admn) of Nagaland L Thechamo Lotha, in an administrative order issued last evening, informed that the SOF would be responsible for curbing and controlling all criminal activities in Kohima and Dimapur like extortion and kidnapping for ransom, especially during the festival season throughout the state.
The order said that the main task of the SOF, among other things, would be to ensure peaceful atmosphere by arresting all criminals and anti-social elements involved in extortions, kidnappings, snatching and other offences.
They would be focusing mainly in sensitive areas of the towns, by setting up Motor Vehicle Check Point, if necessary physical frisking, to curb the movements and activities of such anti-social elements. The order further said that the SIF personnel will act in sensitive and vulnerable areas and conduct raids in suspected areas, as well as mobilising plain clothes personnel in sensitive areas where there are concentration of business establishments.
The ADGP, in his Order, informed that in order to execute these operations effectively, the capital city Kohima and commercial hub Dimapur and the outlaying areas have been divided into several sectors.
Each sector would be under control of a Deputy Commandant and Assistant Commandant rank officer, who shall be personally responsible for maintaining peaceful atmosphere and controlling criminal activities in their respective jurisdictions.
He further requested the Inspector General of Assam Rifles to direct his formation to conduct surprise Motor Vehicle Check Points on National Highway 29 and in and around Kohima and Dimapur from time to time.
Meanwhile, security had also been beefed up in all the district headquarters and other towns to stop any type of criminal activities in the towns during the festival season.