Nagaland has approved the establishment of an independent Directorate of Forensic Sciences to strengthen scientific crime investigation and support the implementation of the country’s new criminal laws, Director General of Police (DGP) Rupin Sharma announced on Sunday.
The announcement came as Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio flagged off 549 police vehicles and 12 mobile forensic vans under the Assistance to States and Union Territories for Modernisation of Police Scheme for 2025–26.
The newly inducted fleet, procured at a cost of around ₹81.65 crore, is part of a broader police modernisation initiative under which Nagaland has secured nearly ₹150 crore to upgrade policing infrastructure across the state.
Speaking at the event, Rio said improved mobility is critical for effective policing in Nagaland’s difficult terrain. He noted that the new vehicles would replace nearly 40 per cent of the state’s ageing fleet and urged police personnel to ensure their proper maintenance and transparent use, particularly in remote and operationally challenging areas.
The Chief Minister also said that all 12 mobile forensic vans have been distributed to district executive forces and added that additional forensic vehicles would be introduced in the coming years to further strengthen investigative capabilities.
Sharma said the proposed Directorate of Forensic Sciences would initially function alongside the police department before evolving into a fully independent institution. He described the initiative as a significant step towards increasing the use of scientific investigation and forensic evidence in criminal cases.
Emphasising the importance of forensic capacity under the new criminal laws, Rio called for greater investment in trained personnel, cyber forensics, digital evidence, financial intelligence and data analytics to improve the quality of investigations.
To further enhance forensic infrastructure, Sharma said the police headquarters has proposed recruitment through the Nagaland Public Service Commission to expand the State Forensic Science Laboratory.
In addition to police vehicles and forensic vans, the newly commissioned fleet includes ambulances and water tankers, which, according to the DGP, will strengthen emergency response and improve public service delivery across the state.
