Pre-poll violence continues in several parts of Nagaland

February 24, 2023 38 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 24

The pre-poll atmosphere in Nagaland worsened on February 23 as reports of violence emerged from several parts of the State on Thursday. Incidents of scuffles, stone pelting, firing and trespassing were reported from Assembly Constituencies in Wokha and Mokokchung.

Prohibitory orders in Wokha & Koridang
Two incidents of violence were reported from Wokha on Thursday. A press release from the Wokha DC informed that a scuffle broke out between “two groups of miscreants” near Tsumang ‘A’ in Wokha Town leading to a stone pelting incident on February 23 at around 11:00 am.

The DC informed that security forces dispersed the miscreants and the incident was brought “under complete control within ten minutes.”

Meanwhile, at around same time at Church Colony and at GA Colony, two groups entered into a confrontation but were dispersed by security forces. Six persons have been detained in this connection and the law & order in the town remains under control, the DC assured.

The Wokha DC also implemented prohibition on assembly of five or more persons and vehicular movement of non-essential nature from 5:00 PM to 5:00 AM in the areas comprising of 37-Tyui and 38- Wokha Assembly Constituencies under Section 144 CrPc.

In an order, the Wokha DC further informed that in the area of the DC Office complex and 100 meters in its vicinity including the Wokha Public Ground, assembly of five or more persons shall be prohibited at all times till further orders.

Meanwhile, the media cell of the NCP, 38 Wokha AC informed that a series of FIRs and complaints have been lodged with the police and the Returning Officer.

A press release from the NCP Wokha alleged that on February 22 “attacks” were made on houses of individuals, including the headmaster of a school; and the BLO of a polling station. It further alleged that one of the mobs was led by a uniformed police officer. FIRs have been filed in all three cases, the NCP stated.

In Koridang, following the killing of one person on February 22, the Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPc prohibiting assembly of five or more persons and vehicular movement of non-essential nature from 5:00 pm to 5:00 am.

Stone pelting & firing in Angetyongpang
There was a firing and stone pelting incident at Angetyongpang Assembly Constituency in an area between Tsurangmen and Yisemyong on February 23. The clash reportedly took place between supporters of the NDPP and the NPP.

There were however contrasting reports about the incident from both parties. The NDPP Mokokchung unit issued a press release alleging that party workers of NDPP candidate Tongpang Ozukum were “ambushed” by the supporters of NPP candidate S Maongkaba Ozukum while the former was traveling from Mongsenyimti Village to Mokokchung Town.

It claimed that the “NPP party workers firing four shots at us,” while adding that in the ensuing confrontation, several NDPP party workers sustained injuries.

However, this was contested by NPP candidate S Maongkaba Ozukum during a press conference on Thursday evening.

Ozukum claimed that the incident occurred after the assault was initiated by the other party. Ozukum further claimed that one of his bodyguards fired 6 shots in the air in order to disperse the crowd as the stone pelting posed a danger to him. “What is being circulated in social media is wrong,” he added.NPP Mkg alleges police
personnel of breaching MCC
In another incident, the NPP Mokokchung district unit alleged breach of the ECI Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by some police personnel “supposedly under medical leave, who were involved in open show of support and active conduct of campaigning in favour of an opponent party’s candidate at the 22 Arkakong Assembly Constituency.”
A press release from the NPP Mokokchung said that the “public of the constituency has enough evidence to prove the direct involvement of around 20 police personnel in civil dress who were taking open and active part in campaigning in favour of our opponent party’s candidate.”
“There is also enough evidence to prove the involvement of high-ranking police officers who are deliberately posting and deputing the police personnel according to their personal whims so that the chances are made favourable for the candidates whom they support and in order to sabotage the efforts of the other parties,” it alleged.
The NPP asked the concerned authorities to immediately initiate a thorough investigation and take necessary action.