Row over extension of term of Nagaland DGP Longkumer

The 6 months’ extension of the service of T. John Longkumer as DGP Nagaland has stirred a row with this being the second extension of his service.

T John Longkumer, a cadre of Chhattisgarh, was brought on deputation for 3 years to the post of DGP, Nagaland on 27 June 2018, as an inter-state cadre.

Longkumer took charge as the new DGP of Nagaland on June 27, 2018, after the MHA approved his ‘inter-cadre’ deputation for a period of three years on “administrative grounds.”

Even during his appointment as DGP Nagaland, many had raised questions as Longkumer did not fulfill the requisite length of 30 years of service to come under the zone of consideration to be appointed as DGP.

Upon the expiry of his three years deputation in the year 2021, the deputation of T John Longkumer was further extended from 26 June 2021 to 31 August 2022.

Subsequently, on 31 August 2022, an order from the MHA addressed to the Chief Secretary Nagaland, stated that the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Home ministry for grant of extension of service as well as inter-cadre deputation tenure of TJ Longkumer, for a period of six months beyond his date of superannuation on August 31, 2022, in the public interest.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, commenting on the matter said, the state government has no say on the matter as Longkumer’s service extension has been approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs.