Photo Courtesy: nenow
Kohima: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio flagged off 561 new police vehicles and forensic vans at the Police Complex in Chumoukedima on July 27. The fleet, aimed at replacing 35 to 40 percent of the state's aging patrol vehicles, represents a major upgrade in operational capacity. This acquisition was funded under the Assistance to States and Union Territories for Modernisation of Police scheme for 2025-26.
The procurement cost roughly Rs 81.65 crore. The total fleet includes 549 general transport vehicles and 12 mobile forensic laboratories. Specific models include Jimnys, Vitaras, Scorpios, Boleros, and Innovas, alongside buses, pickups, water tankers, and 64 motorcycles. These vehicles address a critical deficit in a region where difficult terrain has long hampered emergency response.
"Our Nagaland Police must continue its transition from predominantly armed policing to professional, investigation-oriented, and community-centered policing," Rio said. The new vehicles are intended for frontline district police units and remote areas rather than for status or seniority.
Nagaland secured nearly Rs 150 crore in total for police modernization, a massive spike from previous annual budgets of Rs 4-6 crore. These funds also cover Automatic Number Plate Recognition systems, CCTV infrastructure, and smart police suites. DGP Rupin Sharma confirmed the state cabinet has approved creating an independent Directorate of Forensic Sciences to support the implementation of new national criminal laws. The department is now recruiting forensic experts and IT staff to bolster these scientific capabilities.
DGP Sharma addressed ongoing security concerns, including a July 13 IED blast that killed an Assam Rifles soldier. He stated that while the state requested the National Investigation Agency to handle the case, no formal word has arrived from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. For now, the Nagaland Police continues to follow several active leads.
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