Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 17
In Dimapur, violence marked the 5th day of the state-wide bandh called by the Nagaland Tribes Action Committee and Joint Coordination Committee. At least 10 people, including women were reported to have sustained wounds from catapult shots during the violence.
There were conflicting versions of how the violence erupted. One version stated that a few bandh volunteers stationed at the Dhobinulla junction were attacked by catapult shots, when they entered Zeliangrong village asking shops to close. The volunteers reportedly called for reinforcements and in the violence that ensued a number of youths were injured and some elderly women, who intervened to calm the situation.
The other version stated that the residents of the neighbourhood were accused by the bandh volunteers of allowing shops to open. According to this version, some 4-5 volunteers were seen with catapults in the neighbourhood and randomly shooting.
One of the injured youth said that initially there were 4-5 volunteers, which soon grew in number. The youth said that he sustained multiple catapults shots on the head and body and was beaten when he along with 2 others intervened to dissuade the volunteers. Women, who tried to calm the agitated volunteers, were forcefully shoved aside and also sustained blows, he added.
As per the injured youth, at least four women were reported to have sustained catapult shots and 5-6 youths either assaulted or sustained catapult shots.
One of the women, hit on the shin by a catapult pellet, alleged that the mob even tried to torch a meshed bamboo perimeter wall, but was doused. “They claim that the bandh is democratic but the day’s incident says otherwise. Resorting to violence is not democratic at all,” said the woman.
Though it could not be ascertained, at least 2 bandh volunteers were also reported to have sustained injury during the violence.
The situation was brought under control only after JCC officials arrived at the scene and pacified the volunteers. The volunteers also questioned the JCC officials for stopping them from imposing the bandh call.
