AROUND 25 INJURED; PROHIBITORY ORDERS CLAMPED
At least 25 persons were injured after clashes took place between supporters of rival intending candidates in Khar village under 29 Jangpetkong assembly constituency, Mokokchung district December 28 even as official announcement for election is to be made by the Election Commission of India(ECI).
It is reported that arms were also used during the clashes which was later corroborated by police who disclosed to Nagaland Post, that around 24 injured persons were taken to Imkongliba Memorial Hospital Mokokchung, some reportedly with bullet injuries.
According to Khar village sources, the incident occurred on the eve of the Senso Mungdang (village community meeting) scheduled on Thursday. It was yet to be confirmed if the mundang was to have discussed about election.
However, in view of the violent incident, the Senso had been postponed, the sources said.
Mokokchung Police have also arrested some of those involved in the violence. Video clips of the scuffle also went viral on social media.
Meanwhile, when contacted, deputy commissioner (DC) Mokokchung Shashank Pratap Singh told Nagaland Post that the clash allegedly occurred between supporters of two opposing camps at Khar village, which falls under 29 Jangpetkong Assembly constituency, on Wednesday evening.
He said firearms were also used and that around 20-25 persons were injured, while two to three persons who sustained pellet injuries have been shifted to hospitals in Mokokchung and Dimapur.
Besides injuries sustained, the DC said there were reports of stone pelting that resulted in damage to some vehicles and buildings.
Shashank also informed that security personnel led by SDPO headquarters and other officers reached the village on Wednesday evening itself to restore order.
Meanwhile, district authorities in Mokokchung have clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 Cr PC for 48 hours, subjected to review.
Assembly of more than five persons and carrying of lethal weapons and firearms, including lathis, dagger/machete, spears, or any other sharp and dangerous weapons, have been prohibited by the district administration under Section 144 CrPC in Khar area.
Further, Section 21 of the Arms Act, 1959 has been imposed whereby all arms licence holders in Khar village had been directed to deposit their firearms at the nearest police station with immediate effect.
Election-related violence is not a new phenomenon in Nagaland and this is also a feature in some highly sensitive areas in Mokokchung district.
It may also be recalled that a supporter of one candidate was killed during an attack by supporters of a rival candidate in Tuli town under 21 Tuli assembly constituency during the 2018 assembly election.