With the rise of poll fever, there has also been rise in the level of poll-related violence across several assembly constituencies in several districts with one fatality reported near Mokokchung on February 21 night.
Violence involving supporters of rival candidates was reported in some parts of Mokokchung and Wokha districts where authorities promulgated prohibitory orders under Section 144 Cr PC to pre-empt further violence
In Mokokchung close on the heels of the discovery of the dead body of an abducted person- Imkongchiba Kichu (34) an engineering graduate of Chungtia village- under 28 Koridang assembly constituency, authorities clamped Sec.144 CrPC to prevent violence between supporters of rival candidates.
Meanwhile, reports of stone pelting and firing incident was also reported under 24-Angetyongpang assembly constituency following a scuffle between supporters of two rival parties– NDPP and NPP.
On one hand, NPP alleged that supporters of rival candidate way laid their convoy at Tsurangmen Colony, Yisemyong, at around 1:30 p.m. and pelted stones while on their way to Mongsenyimti.
While on the other hand, NDPP Mokokchung media cell also claimed that their convoy was attacked from both ends by supporters of the rival candidate and during the commotion, several shots were allegedly fired at them. In the ensuing confrontation, several party workers of NDPP sustained injuries, the party said.
NDPP also clarified that the statement of a news report that the body-guard of a candidate exited from his car and fired blank shots was not true.
However, NPP party clarified that the security personnel of its candidate fired several shots in the air, as precautionary measure and to diffuse the situation.
NPP also alleged that in another incident, a vehicle carrying ration and other food supplies of the candidate was attacked and overturned.
It may be recalled that the first pre-poll violence was reported at Khar village on December 28, 2022 wherein 24 persons were injured. Authorities clamped Sec.144 Cr PC on December 28 and was extended by another 48 hours, till 9 p.m. of January 1, 2023.
Wokha: In Wokha district, sporadic violence was reported under 37 Tyui and 38 Wokha Assembly constituencies (ACs) between supporters of rival candidates.
To thwart any attempt to incite violence and ensure peaceful conduct of polls, the district magistrates/deputy commissioner at Wokha have promulgated prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC with immediate effect till March 3, 2023.
DC Wokha informed that six persons were detained in connection with a confrontation between two groups at Church Colony and at GA Colony in Wokha.
Further, DC Wokha informed that in the area of the DC office complex and 100 meters in its vicinity including Wokha Public Ground, assembly of five or more persons would be prohibited at all times till further orders.
The DC said all those involved would be dealt strictly under law. He, however, said that the situation in Wokha was under control with deployment of security forces in adequate numbers.
The district magistrate has prohibited assembly of five or more persons and vehicular movements of non-essential nature from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. in the areas under the three constituencies.
However, the officials and staff of district administration, security personnel, magistrate on duty, medical personnel and persons engaged on election duty /essential services have been exempted.
Further, all movement of commercial vehicles (goods and/passengers) or vehicles carrying essential commodities, press and media, telecom services, medical emergencies have been exempted from the above restrictions. The election campaign events with prior permission of Returning Officer have also been exempted.
