Dobashi allegedly abducted, released later
Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 17
The boundary dispute between Khezhakeno of Nagaland and Tungjoy of Manipur reached the floor of Nagaland Legislative Assembly with MLA Dr Chotisuh Sazo raising the issue on February 16.
Highlighting the issue during Zero hour, Dr Sazo said that he was informed by an officer in that a mob from Tunjoy village of Manipur State, allegedly armed, came to Nagaland side and “started cutting trees and jungles in Chida area” on February 15.
When the District Administration sent EAC Khezhakeno and SDPO Pfutsero to visit the spot along-with a Dobashi (DB) attached to EAC Khezhakeno village after receiving information from police personnel at Chida post, they were overpowered by the mob, he informed.
Dr Sazo added that the DB of Khezhakeno on duty was abducted and taken to the Tunjoy Village, and allegedly “manhandled” by the villagers.
He also recalled that a similar incident had happened even two years back, when Governor of Nagaland was about to visit the Chida Lake Tourist spot. The said group of people from Tunjoy village came and destroyed the structures erected for the Governor’s visit, Dr Sazo maintained.
Accordingly, he asked the Minister In-charge or leader of the House to make statement on the status/condition of the abducted DB as well as situation in the disputed area.
Besides, he sought to know the step taken by the State Government to “settle the boundary dispute (if any) between the two villages” and whether any financial assistance have been provided to the victim.
SP Phek to probe incident
In reply, Deputy Chief Minister, Y Patton informed that the DB was handed over to SDPO Phek at around 11:30 PM on February 15, and he was later taken to Naga Hospital for medical check-up.
Based on the medical report whereby he had suffered physical injury, an FIR is being recorded by Superintendent of Police, Phek, he added.
The SP Phek will make enquiry into the incident and based on his recommendations, PHQ will take appropriate steps, he added.
Patton also informed that earlier during that day, the Deputy Commissioner/SP Phek also tried to secure his release.
Later, the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police Nagaland also discussed the issue with their counterpart in Manipur and decided to make arrangements to hand over the Dobashi to SP Phek, he added.
The Deputy CM also said that the current issue cropped up initially on February 12 morning when a group of Khezhakeno villagers, numbering around 150-200, went to Kahujo forest area.
The officer on-charge of Paomata police station of Senapati District, Manipur arrived and reportedly tried to stop the villagers from cutting firewood saying area is disputed, he said. The villagers, however, did not recognise his authority, he added.
Thereafter, on February 15, at around 11:00 am, 500 Tungjoy villagers came to Takuo in the adjoining area and began cutting firewood, Patton narrated.
On receipt of the information, SP Phek sent a team of 11th IRB personnel to the spot to restrain the villagers from cutting firewood but they did not obey, he said.
The Dobashi on duty from Khezhakeno village also arrived at the spot with intend to talk to the villagers but instead he was caught and manhandled before he was taken away to Tungjoy village area, Patton stated.
