Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 16
In the midst of feverish appeals and public campaign for clean and fair election, the confiscation of weapons and even explosives comes galore. The Assam Rifles on February 15, recovered arms, ammunition and explosives in two separate locations falling under Mokokchung. The district, like the rest of Nagaland is gripped by the election fever, where an electoral process is synonymous with armed warfare, not to mention the innumerable incidences of internecine skirmishes between rival supporters.
On February 15, the 31 Assam Rifles recovered weapons, ammunition and crude bombs from a house in Yaongyimsem village. The village falls under 22 Arkakong Assembly Constituency. It is suspected that the weapons were meant for use in the election.
A press release from the Assam Rifles stated that the seized weapons comprised one country-make pistol alongwith magazine and four rounds, one single-barrelled 12’ bore gun with 12 cartridges, and thirteen crude bombs. The house was said to have been abandoned when it was recovered.
In another incident the same day, the 31 Assam Rifles arrested one person in Mangkolemba (under 29 Jangpetkong) and confiscated one 12 bore gun with five cartridges. Three pairs of ‘jungle boots’ and a shirt with camouflage patterns were also seized from the person. The accused, identified as one Nungshimaong in the AR press release is suspected to be an underground cadre.
Later the same day, in the evening, police arrested around 54 persons, said to be supporters of an election contender, in Molungkimong village (under 30 Alongtaki AC) and detained for violating prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Owing to the apparent tension between rival supporters in the village, the Mokokchung district administration had clamped dusk to dawn prohibitory orders forbidding movement of three or more persons in the village after dark. The administrative promulgation was enforced about a week back.
The arrest aside, police also recovered one AK series rifle and two .22 pistols along with 50 explosive gelatin sticks from the location where the arrested individuals were found camping. The location was said to be an ‘election camp’.
Occurrence of poll related violence was also reported from Longmisa village under 24 Angetyongpang AC on Saturday. One vehicle was burned in the incident. Police arrested three persons in this connection.
The pre-poll security measure, ordering the return of licenced weapons to the police for safekeeping till completion of polling becomes dud, when on the flipside; use of illegally obtained firearms is openly visible.
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