Two FIRs have been lodged, following Sunday’s clash at Thonoknyu Town, Noklak district between supporters of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and National People’s Party ahead of Legislative Assembly elections in Nagaland.
One FIR has to do with the stone pelting incident and the other is on the attack on the Officer-in-Charge of Thonoknyu Police Station.
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The Deputy Commissioner Noklak, K. Mhathung Tsanglao, NCS has imposed section 144 CrPC in the Headquarter in Noklak district following the pre-poll violence that caused injuries to both parties and damages to many vehicles.
Under the rule, the assembly of five or more persons is prohibited in the headquarter and a perimeter of 200 meters around the Town. Further, no political party will be permitted to hold rallies or meetings in the said location.
This order will be in effect till 6:00am on 22 February 2023 or till further orders.
On 19 February, the supporters of LJP and NPP pelted stones at each other for about 10 minutes until the law and order enforcement agencies controlled the situation. Later in the evening, the mob attacked the NPP central team convoy when they arrived at the Hq.
According to reliable sources, the OC had rushed to the spot to disperse the mob ambushing the NPP convoy when he accidentally knocked a bystander with his car while reversing.
Rumours then spread that the OC’s vehicle had killed one person and the already irate mob launched an attack on the OC.
Speaking to Nagaland Tribune, L. Khumo Khiamniungan, the candidate of LJP for 57th Thonoknyu Assembly Constituency, said that he will rather step down than become a Member of Legislative Assembly with dead bodies lying around.
He regretted the circulation of fake news and people getting misinformed and said that he looks forward for ‘peace’ while adding that the situation is now under control.
Benei. M. Lamthiu, the candidate of NPP, stated that this kind of violence is very new in the area.
“Just because of some few individuals, they are trying to destroy the essence of democracy. Democracy should be free and fair which should be conducted in a peaceful manner,” he told Nagaland Tribune.
Lamthiu expressed his regret on the incident and wished that the injured persons recover fast. He also appealed all to be responsible citizens and to maintain peace.
Meanwhile, NPP General Secretary, Jacob Tovihi Achumi said that the tour has been successful until Sunday’s incident. Expressing the shock of the team, he said that the situation was unreasonable.
Achumi admitted to Nagaland Tribune that because it was pitch dark, it could not be confirmed what exactly happened, but he appealed for peace.
Read also: Pre-poll violence in Wokha, Noklak and Dimapur
On Monday, the Khiamniungan Tribal Council in a statement, condemned the election related violence at 57th Thonoknyu A/C and asked the concerned authorities to take strict measures to ensure peaceful polling.
KTC also reminded that there is no room for violence in democracy and asserted its full support for a peaceful atmosphere.
