When the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi requested the State government to deploy two forces of Nagaland Police in the country’s capital, there was hesitation at first, at least on the part of the Jawans. There was the question of leaving home and family, difficulty of adjusting to city life and definitely bigger challenges that would perhaps need greater effort and skill.
But as the 1st Nagaland Armed Police (NAP) left the comfort of the State on static duty to Delhi in August 2008, little did they know that they would become the guardians of the nation’s many heritages and vital locations as well as relied upon security detail for Very Important Persons. Two years on, they are protectors of important national monuments and provide security to Cabinet Ministers and Foreign Embassies like the US Embassy and the UK Embassy among others.
Nagaland is one of the very few states in the country which has its force deployed in New Delhi in this manner. As the Commandant of the Battalion, Sandeep M. Tamgadge, IPS, rightly said…..’The 1st NAP is the extended arm of Nagaland Government’.
Delhi being a big place, he says the nature of duty is more complex involving more responsibility even while impressing upon the fact that the importance of duty is much more in the capital. Observing that there are hundreds and thousands of threats in a place like the national capital, he states that these are also few of the challenges that the battalion has to face.
The 1st NAP, which is spread over 71 locations in the Capital City, has its Headquarters in Vijayghat, Safdarjung Airport and Model Town. But life for them is not always easy because at the end of the day, one group or the other has to go back to tents on rotational basis, which is not very pleasant given the harshness of the extreme Delhi weather.
With concern in his voice, the CO enlightens that out of 71 locations, about 55 has permanent structures but with the rest living in tents, he says that the complex problem lies in the absence of permanent building for all of them.
But this force of 900 has over the two years learnt the traits of surviving in a big city and has familiarised themselves with the law, order and security of the nation as a whole. By and large, the battalion which is concentrated in the security of the country has definitely made an impression on the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Earlier, its tenure was fixed for two years which was supposed to expire in August 2010. However, the MHA has requested the 1st NAP to stay on for another year, more so in view of the Commonwealth Games scheduled to be held in Delhi from October 3-14, 2010.
For some of them, this news had initially shattered their dreams of going back to their families and homes but when made to understand that a replacement by another battalion also means more training and getting used to the security arrangements, the boys have sportingly risen to the call of duty and consented to continue for another year.
Having a say in this, the CO states that the Union Government has put its trust in the Nagaland Police since they’re requesting their services further. Not many states are deployed from across the country, he says. There are IRB Battalions from Meghalaya, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and UP, he informs.
‘My boys’, the Commandant lovingly thinks of them, and says, “They are well accustomed to the place now, they know the rules and the nature of duty and I am happy they are willing to continue for a greater objective.”
Indeed, the 1st NAP would have important roles to play during the CWG even as they will be part of the detail securing 17 venues during the occasion, including ‘Akshardham Temple’ which reportedly attracts 70% of tourists in New Delhi.
It also surely does serve as a comfort to have the State police in a place known more for its crime rate, especially crimes against women. For in the face of such circumstances, it is learnt that the 1st NAP does its bit to help. In the words of the Commandant, they unofficially speak to the Delhi Police and whenever these things happen, he says “we talk to the concerned police stations and try to see that things are done”.
He is particularly impressed that when a crime against somebody from the North East is committed, every tribe, every sister state of NE, regardless of religion, sex and tribe come together with one voice. Clearly appreciative of this coordination, he feels it is deeply needed in times as such. Most definitely, the 1st NAP also shares a good rapport with the Delhi police and a closer connection with the Naga Students Union Delhi.
The boys have their share of struggles and have certainly sacrificed a great deal to be placed where they are, but most strikingly, they live as one big family….they come together and share a meal on special occasions, they beat the rains and the heat in their tents, and still carry out their duties in the service of the nation.
Maybe it’s the efficiency of leadership under its Commandant, Sandeep M. Tamgadge, the Deputy Commandants and all other Officers involved or maybe it’s the team work of all of them put together…..but whatever the element that binds them, it makes us proud to know they are doing such a commendable job outside.
But as the 1st Nagaland Armed Police (NAP) left the comfort of the State on static duty to Delhi in August 2008, little did they know that they would become the guardians of the nation’s many heritages and vital locations as well as relied upon security detail for Very Important Persons. Two years on, they are protectors of important national monuments and provide security to Cabinet Ministers and Foreign Embassies like the US Embassy and the UK Embassy among others.
Nagaland is one of the very few states in the country which has its force deployed in New Delhi in this manner. As the Commandant of the Battalion, Sandeep M. Tamgadge, IPS, rightly said…..’The 1st NAP is the extended arm of Nagaland Government’.
Delhi being a big place, he says the nature of duty is more complex involving more responsibility even while impressing upon the fact that the importance of duty is much more in the capital. Observing that there are hundreds and thousands of threats in a place like the national capital, he states that these are also few of the challenges that the battalion has to face.
The 1st NAP, which is spread over 71 locations in the Capital City, has its Headquarters in Vijayghat, Safdarjung Airport and Model Town. But life for them is not always easy because at the end of the day, one group or the other has to go back to tents on rotational basis, which is not very pleasant given the harshness of the extreme Delhi weather.
With concern in his voice, the CO enlightens that out of 71 locations, about 55 has permanent structures but with the rest living in tents, he says that the complex problem lies in the absence of permanent building for all of them.
But this force of 900 has over the two years learnt the traits of surviving in a big city and has familiarised themselves with the law, order and security of the nation as a whole. By and large, the battalion which is concentrated in the security of the country has definitely made an impression on the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Earlier, its tenure was fixed for two years which was supposed to expire in August 2010. However, the MHA has requested the 1st NAP to stay on for another year, more so in view of the Commonwealth Games scheduled to be held in Delhi from October 3-14, 2010.
For some of them, this news had initially shattered their dreams of going back to their families and homes but when made to understand that a replacement by another battalion also means more training and getting used to the security arrangements, the boys have sportingly risen to the call of duty and consented to continue for another year.
Having a say in this, the CO states that the Union Government has put its trust in the Nagaland Police since they’re requesting their services further. Not many states are deployed from across the country, he says. There are IRB Battalions from Meghalaya, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and UP, he informs.
‘My boys’, the Commandant lovingly thinks of them, and says, “They are well accustomed to the place now, they know the rules and the nature of duty and I am happy they are willing to continue for a greater objective.”
Indeed, the 1st NAP would have important roles to play during the CWG even as they will be part of the detail securing 17 venues during the occasion, including ‘Akshardham Temple’ which reportedly attracts 70% of tourists in New Delhi.
It also surely does serve as a comfort to have the State police in a place known more for its crime rate, especially crimes against women. For in the face of such circumstances, it is learnt that the 1st NAP does its bit to help. In the words of the Commandant, they unofficially speak to the Delhi Police and whenever these things happen, he says “we talk to the concerned police stations and try to see that things are done”.
He is particularly impressed that when a crime against somebody from the North East is committed, every tribe, every sister state of NE, regardless of religion, sex and tribe come together with one voice. Clearly appreciative of this coordination, he feels it is deeply needed in times as such. Most definitely, the 1st NAP also shares a good rapport with the Delhi police and a closer connection with the Naga Students Union Delhi.
The boys have their share of struggles and have certainly sacrificed a great deal to be placed where they are, but most strikingly, they live as one big family….they come together and share a meal on special occasions, they beat the rains and the heat in their tents, and still carry out their duties in the service of the nation.
Maybe it’s the efficiency of leadership under its Commandant, Sandeep M. Tamgadge, the Deputy Commandants and all other Officers involved or maybe it’s the team work of all of them put together…..but whatever the element that binds them, it makes us proud to know they are doing such a commendable job outside.
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