The Deputy Commissioner & District Magistrate, Wokha, Ajit Kumar Ranjan, IAS has issued an order on Thursday whereby he prohibited the assembly of five or more persons and vehicular movement of non-essential nature from 5:00 pm to 5:00 am in the areas comprising of 37 Tyui and 38 Wokha Assembly Constituencies with immediate effect till 3 March 2023.
The order was issued following reports of clashes between the supporters of the BJP and NCP in three places in Wokha town today.
A scuffle broke out between the supporters of the two parties at around 11:00 am near the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Tsumang A colony which led to stone pelting. Other confrontations of took place at the same time at Church colony as well as GA colony, it was reported.
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Talking exclusively with Nagaland Tribune, Deputy commissioner Kumar IAS, stated that the security forces responded immediately to the situation using effective force to disperse the troublemakers. While mentioning that no major injuries had been reported, he also asserted that the situation was under control.
DC Wokha informed that 6 people have been detained in relation to Thursday’s pre-poll violence and assured that the guilty will not be spared.
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Wokha Superintendent of Police, Aotula T Imchen, IPS told Nagaland Tribune that the forces will ensure security to all the vulnerable and sensitive areas in the district to ensure that the partial restrictions imposed are carried out strictly.
The SP also asserted that the police will ensure that all miscreants involved in violence will be arrested and booked under the relevant section of law and the strictest actions will be initiated against those guilty.
Meanwhile, the district’s DC stated in the order that the reports of mobilization of miscreants in several parts of the area which threatens the free campaigning thereby causing a likelihood of breach of public peace and tranquillity in the area provided sufficient grounds for taking precautionary measures to prevent the occurrence of any untoward incidents.
Therefore, the DC imposed the restrictions by the power vested on him by U/S 144 CrPC of 1973.
Further, in the area of the DC Office complex and 100 meters in its vicinity including the Wokha Public Ground, assembly of five or more persons shall be prohibited at all times till further orders.
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The order exempts officials and staff of District Administration, Security Personnel, Magistrate on Duty, Medical personnel and persons engaged in election duty/ essential services.
All movement of commercial vehicles (goods/passengers) or vehicles carrying essential commodities, Press & Media, Telecom services, and medical emergencies shall also be exempted from the above restrictions, the order stated.
Further, election campaign events with the prior permission of Returning Officer shall also be exempted.
