LIGHTNING BANDH PARALYSES LIFE; 10 INJURED IN CLASHES; SEC 144 CrPC CLAMPED; ARMY LIKELY TO STAGE FLAG MARCH TODAY
Dimapur was plunged into a state of near-anarchy when mob violence, arson, assault, weapons firing and stone pelting led to injuries at least ten, including two women while over 20 light motor vehicles and cars were damaged and one burnt at the time of filing this report.
The death on Friday of late Kivika of Kiltomi village under Aghunato sub-division, Zunheboto district, while under custody of Quick Response Team (QRT) of Kohima Village Youth Organization (KVYO) cascaded to Dimapur.
On Saturday, as reported in Nagaland Post, a lightning bandh took effect in the morning when shopkeepers were forced to shut down by scores of youth volunteers.
Hundreds of volunteers went on a rampage targeting Niathu Resort, T.K. Service Station and damaging cars. The district administration clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 Cr PC but it had little or no effect.
Personnel of the IRB and Assam Rifles were deployed but could not prevent sporadic incidents of violence that broke out in several places. Volunteers from the two communities massed along the Dimapur-Chumukedima stretch of the NH 29. The upper section from 6th Mile towards Kohima occupied by some Angami youths and the other section towards Dimapur by some Sumi youths.
In a firing incident, one youth identified as Kisheto (21) was injured on the head and in critical condition at CIHSR. The others who were injured included Neitsolü (28), Zevikhu (40) and Pulotovi (30). It was not clear as to who fired the shots. Some alleged it was security personnels while others blamed it on one group of volunteers from atop a building.
The photo of Kisheto(21)seen lying on the road and circulated through Facebook and MMS has inflamed passions. However till late Saturday, Kisheto remains in critical condition with a bullet head lodged in the brain. Late at night, occupants in speeding Bolero at 3rd Mile shot and injured one Vinito in the leg. Also a stray bullet injured a Metei woman at Metha Colony.
Even by late night, reports of sporadic violence continued to pour in mainly from 2 ½ Mile to Chumukedima. Blank and sporadic firing between the two groups that began late afternoon Saturday was reported to be continuing even past midnight.
Vehicular traffic along the highway has virtually ceased as blockades and barriers have been set up on the road. There are justifiable fears that even by Monday the situation in Dimapur would remain as critical with more volunteers joining either group.
Meanwhile, sources said that the Army has be reportedly requisitioned and that a Flag-March was likely to take place Sunday.
Tokheho flays Adm,Police
Meanwhile, CLP Leader Tokheho Yepthomi speaking to Nagaland Post, has blamed the district and police in Dimapur of having failed to take preemptive steps to control the situation.
He said tension had already built up by Friday night but the administration and police had not deployed security personnel in desired numbers throughout the town and peripheral areas.
He said the failure has given a free hand to elements who were exploiting the situation at the cost of innocent people.
Sec 144 CrPc imposed in Dimapur district
District magistrate (DM) Dimapur, N. Hushili Sema taking cognizance of the law and order problem in Dimapur district, Saturday promulgated Section 144 CrPc with immediate effect.
In an order Hushili stated that the situation in and around Dimapur district was critical resulting in law and order problem with destruction of properties and apprehension of danger to human life and property. This has called for an immediate action to be taken to prevent breach of peace, said the DM.
Hushili said police and security would be exempted from the preview of the order. DM has also directed Village Councils, GBs of Dimapur district to prevent unauthorized grouping/meeting so that no untoward situations arise, failing which serious legal actions would be initiated against them.
SKK calls for eco-blockade on NH 29
All Sumi Students’ Union or Sumi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu (SKK) has demanded the government to ban Kohima Village Youth Organisation (KVYO) and also resolved to call an economic blockade from Monday (September 3) if its demands were not fulfilled.
In a statement issued by SKK publicity cell, the student association has demanded the immediate banning of KVYO for taking law into its own hand and for being one sided by running a parallel administration and imposing their will upon the citizens of Kohima.
SKK also demanded that all the culprits be booked as per the law and without granting any bail and immediate suspension of police personnel who failed to uphold their duty.
The statement said that SKK public grievances cell took its stand to voice out its resentment against the high handedness of a “village private force” and that the union called for a peaceful lightning bandh in Dimapur Saturday for the breakdown of law and order in the state capital.
After a threadbare discussion on the issue, SKK resolved to strongly condemn the KVYO’s QRT action and questioned how such brutal action could take place beneath the very nose of the village council. The action was purely a vindication of their “long accumulated hatred”, said SKK.
While taking the resolution during the discussion, SKK also questioned as to why the KVYO refused to hand over Kivika to the police on the excuse that he would be tried as per their Village customary law.
SKK stated that the failure of the police department to take Kivika under their custody implied police complacency which further “boosted” KVYO to take the law into their own hands.
Joint meet appeals
A joint meeting of representatives of Angamis and Sumis,former DMC members and church leaders convened by Naga Council condemned the “mob violence on NH 29” between the Sümi and Angami communities in Dimapur. Stating that Naga family could not tolerate such behavior at this juncture, the meeting resolved to maintain communal peace and harmony besides appealing to both tribes to restore brotherhood and restrain elements within respective units from further aggravation of atmosphere.
Those who attended the meeting include leaders from both the communities- DP Angami, former DMC member, Er. Keditsu, former CEO, DMC, Rev. Phughoto Aye, Pastor of Sümi Baptist Church, Dimapur, Rev. Vitoshe Swu, both President and Gen. Secy of WSYF, and President, DNSU and others, president and members, NWHD, vice-president and information secretary of Naga Hoho and councilors and executives of NCD.
NH calls for peace
Naga Hoho has appealed all sections of the Naga society particularly Sümis and Angamis not to not to get carried away by “rumours and emotions” but to engage themselves with peaceful means for greater responsibilities and vision.
In a statement, Naga Hoho general secretary P. Chuba Ozukum and deputy speaker N. Hurui said an emergency meeting was held Saturday in Kohima to take stock of the situation at Dimapur and shared the problems with Western Sümi Hoho (WSH) and Chakro Public Organization (CPO).
While expressing anguish over the incident on August 31 and its subsequent fallout in Dimapur Saturday, Naga Hoho said the dream and the desire to live as “one people and one nation” should not be shattered overnight over an unfortunate incident that would have been resolved through mutual discussion. Naga Hoho also appealed to the district administration, CPO and WSH to be a contributing factor towards restoring normalcy in the interest of common people.
NSF cautions
Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) while vehemently condemning the killing of Kivika under the custody of Quick Response Team (QRT) of Kohima Village Youth Organisation (KVYO) on August 31, has urged all to desist from taking law into their own hands however staid the case may be.
In a statement, NSF general secretary N. Ejanthung Ngullie and asst. general secretary Tongpang Ozukum also fervently appealed to groups who have reportedly resorted “targeting each other” in Dimapur and surrounding areas to restrain from further taking reactive steps which would further escalate the situation creating communal tension and disharmony in Naga society. NSF further appealed to all “leaders and intellectuals”, particularly the hohos to “endeavor” for an early and amicable solution through mutual understanding and dialogue with true Christian spirit and as Naga brethrens.
SH appeals for calm
Sumi Hoho has appealed for calm following the unrest among the communities as a result of the incidents. A release from Sumi Hoho president Hovishe Arkha stated that all efforts are being made to ensure peaceful co-existence among the different tribes and that it was in touch with all the Angami frontal organizations to ensure that such instances are thwarted.
Sumi president termed these incidents as “unfortunate” and expressed regret for the action of some few misguided youth who went on the rampage ignoring the appeals of the Sumi apex bodies.
Stating that it never had any intention to incite such instances of violence, the Sumi Hoho president said that it had entrusted the Kohima Sumi Hoho to settle the August 31 incident amicably with the Angami Public Organization and other frontal organizations. Arkha said the APO and other Angami frontal organizations responded with good gesture and with their intervention the culprits were booked.
It however regretted that while the issue was being settled amicably within the two parties following the mediation by Kohima unit of Sumi Hoho and the APO, certain groups and individuals in Dimapur resorted to condemnable acts.
Sumi Hoho president has assured Angami community residing in Zunheboto district of safety and that all out efforts will be made to ensure that communities living in the district does so with peaceful co-existence and with the spirit of brotherhood. Arkha said that the Hoho will ensure that the Angami communities living in Zunheboto district will be given enough protection so that not an iota of harm is inflicted on them.
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