New face of Delhi Police for people from northeast

Residents from the northeast in the capital now have a Delhi Police officer whom they can approach when in distress without fear of being racially harassed as alleged in some cases in the past.

The man is Deputy Commissioner of Police Kime Kaming, a 1994-batch IPS officer from Arunachal Pradesh.

Kaming, posted with the 4th Battalion of the Delhi Armed Police, will be available for meetings and counseling sessions, and will also monitor a new helpline and special cell launched by police for people from the northeast.

“There have been instances when people from the northeast have found it difficult while approaching police, but I assure them that they can use the helpline for immediate action. We will personally monitor the complaints and ensure that help is provided instantly. We will also help file FIRs,” Kaming told Deccan Herald.

The officer said the force is determined to maintain a safe atmosphere for every citizen of the capital. “Following the death of Nido Taniam and some incidents with people from the northeast, we are more focused on ensuring security of the community. The new measures will make people from the northeast feel secure in the capital,” Kaming added.

The helpline number – 1093 – will have five lines at the central police control room at the police headquarters in central Delhi’s ITO, while the special cell will be functional from south Delhi’s Nanakpura to keep an eye on complaints.

At present, there are some glitches while dialing the number, which police hope to clear in two-three days.

“The lines are clear while dialing from landline MTNL phones, but they have some issues while dialing from mobile phones. The service providers are working on it and we hope to have a glitch-free system within a day or two,” Kaming said.

Currently, one has to place 011 before 1093 to dial the number from mobile phones.
Explaining the objective of the helpline, Kaming said a distressed person hailing from the northeast can also contact police on 1093, apart from dialing 100, to immediately address the grievance.

“We have developed a mechanism to ensure that when such information is received at the police control room, it will be immediately disseminated to field formations so that help may be provided without delay,” he added.

Delhi Police Commissioner Bhim Sain Bassi also asked Kaming to maintain regular contact with northeastern groups.

Kaming will have the supervision of Joint Commissioner of Police (Training) Robin Hibu, and will be assisted by the DCPs of all the police districts in the capital.

“Preventive policing will also be carried out in areas such as North Campus, Munirka and Dwarka, where there is a large population of people from the northeast, for ensuring action on their complaints,” Kaming said.

On February 11, the Delhi High Court had set a six-week deadline for police to set up the helpline. The order came days after Nido Taniam, a 19-year-old college student from Arunachal Pradesh, died after an alleged racial attack at a market in south-east Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar.

After setting up the helpline and special cell, police told the court that the northeastern states have been asked to send personnel on deputation.