• Protestor injured as police resort to baton charge
• 9 CCoFA members detained, later released
• Seven more days for SIT to file charges
• CM assures independent inquiry if charge sheet is not up to expectation
Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 18
The Coordination Committee on Fuel Adulteration (CCoFA) agitation banning movement of oil tankers and Nagaland Government vehicles on NH 29 was temporarily suspended today. A swift turn of events earlier in the morning had the Dimapur district administration promulgating CrPC 144 within Chumukedima town, detention of 9 frontline CCoFA members and baton-charge by the police, which was followed by the Chief Minister meeting the CCoFA and the eventual temporary suspension of the agitation.
Allegations flew both ways regarding the morning’s event. The agitators accused the police of highhandedness, while the latter justified the use of force as a means to quell a gate-crashing bid at the NAPTC’s main entrance at Chumukedima.
According to the police, CrPC 144 prohibiting assembly of not more than 5 people was promulgated at 7:00 am “in anticipation of law and order situation.” Despite this, the agitators turned violent assembling at the NAPTC’s main entrance and attempted to break down the gate, which happened around 8:30 am, the police maintained. Heated verbal exchanges ensued, the police subsequently baton-charging the crowd.
Tear gas was used with at least two shells landing inside a residential compound adjacent to the Chumukedima Forest Range office. One of the agitators was injured sustaining gash on the head during the police charge. He was detained after a brief hospital stay but was released. This turn of event was preceded by the police detaining 9 CCoFA members, who had assembled near the Patkai Chathe Bridge. They were transported to the NAPTC and placed under detention but later released after signing PR Bonds.
The detention had reportedly irked the other agitators, who started gathering outside the NAPTC gate.
The CCoFA on the other hand maintained that the police action was unprovoked and uncalled for. Terming the detention of 9 of its members as unlawful, it demanded that inquiry be initiated against the police officers in concern. It further decried the police version maintaining that its 9 members were rounded up at 7:40 am and the promulgation of CrPC 144 publicly announced only after. The police though defended its action stating the question of unlawful detention did not arise as the government had already declared the bandh illegal.
As per the CCoFA, following the incident, other agitators assembled at the NAPTC to court arrest but “the police violently subdued a democratic protest.”
While there was no report of use of gunshots, the agitators as well as the police resorted to stone-pelting. Eyewitness accounts further alleged that some livid police personnel pelted stones in the direction of onlookers watching from balconies and rooftops.
A number of the agitators received baton blows while a few police personnel sustained minor wounds from projectiles. After the unrest subsided, the CCoFA headed to the Chief Minister’s residence for a scheduled meeting. At the meeting, the CCoFA disclosed that the CM asked for giving the SIT 7 more days to file charges. The CM was quoted as assuring that if the charge sheet is not up to expectation an independent inquiry will be initiated. The demand for CBI inquiry remained open-ended.
The CCoFA informed that the Chief Secretary had also given a written assurance towards an independent inquiry. As regards the ‘Terms of Reference’ of the SIT, it was expanded to include the Food & Civil Supplies department within the parameter of the inquiry, it was informed.
The agitation was declared temporarily suspended at 2:00 pm following an emergency CCoFA seating at 4th Mile held right after the meeting with the Nagaland Chief Minister. With the situation improving, prohibitory orders under CrPC 144 was revoked at 7:00pm.
CCoFA alleges police misconduct
DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 18 (MExN): The Coordination Committee on Fuel Adulteration (CCoFA) today accused the Dimapur Police of misconduct towards volunteers involved in the NH 29 bandh on Tuesday. A press note from the CCoFA informed that volunteers were called to gather at Chumukedima Bridge, Patkai junction, at 6:00am. At around 7:30am, CCoFA leaders were taken into custody from the site by the police. As news of the arrest spread, local youth, as instructed by CCoFA leadership, “marched peacefully” towards the arrest site to “court arrest as part of Jail Bharao strategy,” it claimed. However, the CCoFA alleged that IRB jawans “led by a DSP brutally assaulted the youth, near the 1st Gate, Chumoukedima.” It informed that the Vice President of the Chumukedima Town Youth Organisation (CTYO) was seriously injured, requiring 6 stitches on his head. The CCoFA further alleged that “to cover up its own brutality, the Dimapur police, belatedly, imposed section 144 CrPC but only after back timing its issuance as 7:00am... whereas the decision to impose the section couldn’t have been before 8:30 am.” The CCoFA demanded that disciplinary action be taken against the officer who allegedly led the “assault.”
‘Protest with proper consultation & representation’
DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 18 (MExN): The Naga Council Dimapur (NCD), Naga Women Hoho Dimapur (NWHD) and Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) has appreciated the assurance provided by the Chief Minister on the fuel adulteration case, resulting in the calling off of the highway bandh. A joint statement from the three organizations re-affirmed and endorsed the standing resolution of the public that was passed on September 11, 2012 and public notification thereof. “As such the arbitrary imposition of lightening bandhs/strikes inflicts disturbances and imbalances in the society,” it said. The Three apex bodies also took a tough stand that any Organizations/Hohos/Unions/Associations’ intending to organize any democratic form of protests under any legitimate grievances should do so with proper representation and consultation from the Naga Council Office at least 3 days in advance and further need the approval/permission from the District Administration and Commissioner of Police, the statement informed.
All stakeholders must work together with understanding: DAN Legislators
DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 18 (MExN): DAN legislators on Tuesday held an emergency meeting on the bandh called by CCoFA, and affirmed that “all stakeholders must work together with understanding and cooperation,” to end the menace of fuel adulteration in the state. A press note from the DAN Legislature Party informed that the meeting endorsed the Cabinet decision that “since the investigations into the Adulteration issue are at an advanced stage, it would not be advisable to change the Investigation Agency.” It further stated that “there is no guarantee that handing the investigation to a Central body like the CBI would expedite the investigation within certain time frame.” The meeting also endorsed the Cabinet decision that any Bandh on National Highways affecting normal flow of traffic, goods and services, is illegal. “In this connection, we would like to request everyone to cooperate with the Government so that the common man is not affected in any manner,” It urged.
.jpg)
