Post-poll violence in Noklak; 1 death reported

March 2, 2023 35 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 2

With the results to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly set to be declared on March 2, reports of post-poll violence continued to surface across several locations in Nagaland; this time at 56 Noklak Assembly Constituency (AC) between BJP party workers and police personnel resulting in the death of one civilian and injuring several others.

The confrontation occurred after BJP supporters, demanding for a re-poll at 7 polling station Noklak village ‘A’, went to the Noklak Deputy Commissioner’s office on the night of February 28. Over the course of events, the police resorted to blank firing to disperse the agitators causing, directly or indirectly, the death of a 33–year-old man named, L Tongpa.

According to letter addressed to the Chief Electoral Office by BJP District Unit, the party had, on February 27, submitted that the presiding officer (PO) at the polling station had carried out his duties properly, allegedly by disallowing voters inside the polling station. The PO has sealed the EVM and made diary entry of records without the presence of the party’s polling agents, it claimed.

The Party also claimed that their complaint petition had not been taken to the concerned authorities on time by the District Election Office, Noklak. While the party had lodged its complaint on the night of February 27 at 10:00 PM, the Deputy Commissioner and the District Election Officer had allegedly forwarded their petition only on February 28, 10:22 PM. The lapse of 24 hours is a pure case of bias and political inclination, they alleged.

As such, the BJP district unit demanded that either a re-poll be announced or declare that the votes cast at 7 polling station Noklak village ‘A’ as null and void.

They also announced that the body of the victim would remain unburied until their complaints were readdressed and exemplary action taken by the authorities.

Meanwhile, Noklak Superintendent of Police, James Humtsoe said that the incident had occurred between 11:00 PM-12:00 AM. Following the unfortunate death of the civilian, he told this newspaper that a police inquiry report is being conducted.

“The overall situation is still extremely tense and sensitive but as of this evening, no untoward incident has occurred as far as we are aware,” he said, while adding that police personnel have been patrolling in and around the town.

While there were reports that the BJP Central Team would be visiting the district, the SP said that no one has come as of the time of filing this report.