With less than 72 hours to go for the Assembly election scheduled on February 27 and in view of the continued violence in some districts, especially in Wokha and Mokokchung, State Police Headquarters (PHQ) has directed all officers on ground across the State to deploy forces and take action against troublemakers to ensure peace.
Speaking to Nagaland Post at his office chamber here on Friday, additional director general of police (ADGP) law and order Sandeep Tamgadge claimed that PHQ was monitoring the entire situation very closely and assured that director general of police (DGP) was fully committed to ensure that the election was conducted peacefully.
He mentioned that a video conference (VC) was held with all 305 companies of security forces and officers of all districts on Friday and, after assessment of the ground situation and with less than 72 hours to go for the polls, the PHQ had directed them not to hesitate to use force wherever required to ensure that peace was maintained at any cost.
He said the PHQ had given clear instruction to the police and paramilitary forces not wait for any direction or written warrant and take suo moto action as per law wherever any violence took place in their presence.
He stated the directive was given by DGP in presence of inspector general (IG) of CRPF, Manipur and Nagaland, who was the overall force coordinator for deployment of the Central force in Nagaland.
Tamgadge said he stressed during the VC that any situation/incident that had the potential to escalate should be nipped at the bud and that forces be deployed to ensure that a sense of peace prevailed in the society.
He mentioned that the directive would come into with effect from Friday evening and that PHQ had also directed that the forces carry out area domination day and night till the poll was over.
He revealed that 305 paramilitary companies from different organizations like CRPF, BSF, CISF, SSB, RPF, etc, were deployed in the State, along with police forces from other States like Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, UP, Punjab, Jharkhand, Mizoram, Rajasthan, Sikkim, etc.
He disclosed that Wokha, Mokokchung and Zunheboto districts had the highest deployment of security forces with 29 companies of Central armed police forces (CAPF), three companies of Nagaland Armed Police (NAP) and six Indian Reserve (IR) companies in Wokha, 30 CAPF companies, three NAP and three IR companies in Mokokhung and 32 CAPF, three NAP and six IR companies in Zunheboto.
He revealed that additional protective gears were provided to the forces deployed in Wokha district and claimed that all efforts were being made to keep the situation under control.
Admitting that there were violent incidents in 37 and 38 Wokha Assembly constituencies (AC), he however remarked that with deployment of adequate number of forces, there should not be any fear.
Rs. 48 cr worth items seized till date: The ADGP stated that to ensure free, fair and inducement-free election, a lot of focus had been given on seizures. He revealed that the current quantum of seizure was 11-12 times more than during the previous election in 2018 when the total value of seizure was Rs 4.50 lakh, which had jumped to over Rs 48 crore.
He mentioned that from day one after Model Code of Conduct came into effect, the PHQ was monitoring the performances of police stations and officers in-charge (OCs) on a day-to-day basis on number of people taken into custody, deposit of arms, traffic offences, liquor seized and the mechanism of finding out seizures and preventive measures taken.
Tamgadge mentioned that all district and police administrations were trying to engage with civil society and village councils for peaceful conduct of the poll as, with the presence of outside forces, excess use of force could only further escalate any situation.
He stressed that a right-thinking society had to come out openly against violence as elections would be over in a week and the people would have to coexist.
He said civil society had to intervene as use of force by security forces for maintenance of peace was only a temporary measure.
No arrest yet on Chungtia incident: Further, Tamgadge informed that no arrest had been made so far with regard to the murder of Imkongchiba Kichu of Chungtia village.
He said that a Special Investigation Team headed by additional superintendent of police Mokokchung has been set up and investigation was on. He assured that the case would be brought to a logical conclusion and all persons behind the killing and abduction would be brought to justice.
Referring to the February 21 incident where some people were caught with money in Wokha, he said they were apprehended by the flying squad and a non-cognisable case had been registered. He said Wokha OC had taken up the issue with judicial magistrate and a preliminary inquiry had been initiated.
He said the person arrested was a government servant, pointing out that it was not only a violation of Election Commission directive, but also misconduct of service rules, adding that legal proceedings had been initiated.
Altogether 28 cases had been registered until February 23, he added.
Tamgadge warned that the police would take action against anyone indulging in any illegal activity or violence at any place without any fear or favour and in a professional manner. He said all forces had been directed to ensure that peace was maintained so that people could come out and exercise their franchise.
Prohibitory orders clamped in Dhansaripar sub-division
DIMAPUR, FEB 24 (NPN): Taking note of reported incidents around Dhansaripar sub-division, which would have posed breach of law and order in the sub-division, the commissioner of police (CP) Dimapur Kevithuto Sophie has promulgated Section 144 Cr. PC in the Dhansaripar sub-division with effect from 5pm of February 25, 2023 till 5am of February 27, 2023 and would resume from 6pm of February 27, 2023 and remain enforced until further order.
In an order, commissioner of police (CP) Dimapur Kevithuto Sophie has prohibited assembly of not more than five persons, carrying lethal weapons and firearms including lathis, dagger/ machete, sticks, spears, catapults or any other dangerous articles in the Dhansaripar sub-division.
CP stated that the prohibitory order has been clamped to preserve peace, prevent breach of law and order and ensure free and fair conduct of election process.
On the day of polling, CP stated that a window period has been relaxed to facilitate the voters to part take in the electoral process.
