Morung Express News
Mokokchung | March 1
Violence failed to subside in Mokokchung even after Election Day. Post-poll violence continued to be reported from certain constituencies, which witnessed heated skirmishes between rival supporters in the lead up to February 27. Clashes, stone-pelting and vandalism occurred in atleast three constituencies of the district since polling closed on Saturday.
While official records of such incidents remain scanty or do not get reported at all, ground report speaks otherwise.
On the night of February 27, a mob was reported to have gone on the rampage at Longkhum village, in 28 Koridang AC, targeting houses of rival supporters. According to one person, who claimed to be a victim of the vandalism, 13 houses were vandalized by supporters of one party. “Locked doors were opened and the houses were turned upside down. Television, refrigerator, washing machine, and utensils were all destroyed and in some houses, cash was also looted”, he alleged.
A similar incident was reported at Alichen the same night. Five houses were reported to have been vandalized. One person at Alichen said that three of the houses were badly damaged. According to his account, the house a church worker, who has had no connection with any of the political parties, was also attacked.
Stone-pelting and retributive vandalism was also reported from Ungma, in 26 Aonglenden AC, on February 28. A villager, who also claimed to be a victim, said that his house was targeted during which the attackers destroyed household property. While stating that there was no one at the house that time, the person added that nine other houses were also vandalized. There was a report of a mob vandalizing a pharmacy in the village.
Targeting of “opposition party houses” was also reported at Mongsenyimti village in 24 Angetyongpang AC on February 28. When contacted by The Morung Express, council members of the village confirmed it occurred. They though maintained the damage was minor and that the “situation” was created by a “few young supporters angry over certain people, who chose to ignore community decision.
The police, meanwhile, admitted the aforementioned incidents to have occurred but not as intense as is being reported or construed. Police sources termed the reports as rather exaggerated when compared with the ground situation.
Asked about the Longkhum incident, the sources said that it occurred but was yet to assess the level of damage or the number of houses vandalised.
Security personnel responding to a distress call at Ungma found an abandoned Maruti car loaded with petrol bombs and stones. The police sources held that the explosives and projectiles were likely intended for post-poll violence. The sources estimated the number of houses damaged at around 3-4.
While confirming the incident at Mongsenyimti, the sources added that a stone-pelting incident occurred at Chungtia in 28 Koridang AC on February 28.
There has been no report of any casualty as a result of retributive post-poll violence with the police sources admitting no arrests have been made in relation to any of the post-poll violence. It was though informed that the police have made over a 100 preventive arrests in the days leading up to February 27.
The police sources said that security personnel respond to as many distress calls as possible. But the problem is that the perpetrators make good their escape by the time security personnel reach the spot. Further, the village councils have also been of not much help when it comes to sharing information about people indulging in intimidation and violence, it was added.
