Dimapur, November 7 (MExN): The situation in Wokha town in the aftermath of the Tokhu Emong skirmish between public members and the 41 Assam Rifles is reported to be under control. No untoward incidents were reported today. However, the AR has expressed regret and an inquiry has been instated by the army authorities. The AR also did not provided details of the reported arrest of several Kyong youths who were said to have been taken into the AR camp following the “battle”. No contacts could be made with the authorities in concern in this regard.
Expressing deep regrets for the entire untoward episode, the Assam Rifles today said to have instated a high-level inquiry in the fracas which was reported to have begun on the night of November 6 and one that ensued late into the night yesterday, Tokhu Emong’s eve.
Yesterday’s “running battle” between the AR and the public of the town had invited several hundred rounds of firing from the personnel and swiftly responded by stone-pelting public members. While no fatalities have been reported till yet, there are an unconfirmed number of injured persons. Most of the injuries happened during the stamped that took place late night yesterday when stone-pelting and firing from the AR ensued. Two persons were reported injured in the firing. Several thousands of the public had gathered at the main public ground to watch the annual Tokhu Emong beauty pageant before chaos broke out as gunfire announced.
IGAR (N) today issued a statement saying the Assam Rifles authorities had taken serious note of the incident that occurred on November 6 at “Wokha DC Ground”, adjacent to 41AR’s cantonment during celebrations of Tokhu Emong. The fracas left several persons injured and also damaged public property.
The DIG HQ Nagaland Range (South) personally visited the site today and interacted with civil officials and other prominent members of Wokha town for preliminary fact-finding and to take stock of the situation, stated the IGAR(N) in a note appended by Major Pallab Choudhury, PRO.
The Assam Rifles authorities have ordered a high-level inquiry to investigate into the entire episode and have assured that stern action will be initiated against the erring AR personnel, if found guilty. Major Gen J P Nehra of IGAR (N) has conveyed his solidarity to the Lotha community and expressed regrets about the unwarranted incident, the PRO said. “The army and Assam Rifles stand committed for the people of Nagaland .May the Almighty keep a benevolent eye on the Lothas and make the Tokhu Emong celebrations a grand success” the IGAR stated in its note.
