The installation of High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) that is going on in full swing is another grim reminder of the rampant practice of varied extortion in Nagaland. What is even more objectionable and pathetic is the fact that the government, the very official that is supposed to safeguard and prevent such unethical practice, is simply watching while the citizens are being cheated. The government of Nagaland and the authority inc-charge should be held responsible for such practice because according to the official price set up by the Government of India for installing HSRP are as follows: Rs. 69 for two wheeler, Rs. 214 for four wheeler, and Rs. 220 for a heavy vehicle. 
The price differs from state to state but the difference is reasonably low from the official pricing, for example in Bihar the price for installing HSRP for two wheelers is rs. 132, three wheelers and invalid carriage is Rs. 162, four wheelers 310 and agriculture tractor etc., is Rs. 140. Whereas, in Nagaland the price for the same installation is charged at an exorbitant rate that when included the charges for smart cards and other necessary documents the amount becomes unreasonable for the common citizens.
For instance the installation of HSRP for four wheeler (light motor vehicle-omni van) is Rs. 1300, the charge for smart card is Rs. 400 and an insurance of Rs. 1400 for the vehicle is charged. Due to such high price it becomes quite impossible for the common person to install HSRP. The situation is even worse for those owners residing in Mon or Zunheboto whose vehicles have been registered from Dimapur or say Kohima as they have to incur heavy expenditure in terms of fooding and lodging and other miscellaneous things.
To add salt to the wound, the installation of HSRP has been given a deadline and those who are not in a position to install after the given time will be fined. This is sheer stupidity that to extract money from owners when they could not install due to lack of money. Similar incidences of such high rates in other states have been thwarted successfully by the public. For instance, in Goa the government signed a contract with Shimnit Utsch in 2008 but after the public uproar even high price, the company was scrutinized and eventually the contract was terminated in January 2011.
The role of government is to understand the plight of the citizens and help them but instead of helping them they are been exploited ruthlessly. It is ironical that HSRP instead of High Security is becoming a high price and high headache for many common people.
It is very important then, for us to question and protest such unethical practice. For those owners who are yet to install or are not in a position to install due to financial crisis, as for me those owners who have already installed you should realize that you have been charged exorbitantly and are a victim of extortion. Therefore, I urge everyone to come forward and seek immediate intervention from the government. I appeal to all sensible citizens and owners of the vehicles to come forward in unity to pressure the government to check and prevent such practice of robbing and exploiting the common people.