• Police platoon deployed as arson reported at Pungro on Monday evening
• No violent incidents reported in Kiphire
Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 8
A sense of uneasy calm returned to Kiphire town on February 8 following Sunday’s mob violence. The day passed without any untoward incidents as security was tightened, while most civilians chose to remain indoors.
“As of now, the situation is under control but tense,” informed the Additional SP of Kiphire on Monday evening. The funeral of the two victims, who were shot dead on February 6 was held during the day. The DC Kiphire, Chumremo Odyuo stated that prohibitory orders enforced under Cr. PC 144 was temporarily relaxed for the duration of the funeral, which was held at 11:00 am. The order, prohibiting assembly of 5 or more people was promulgated at 3:30 pm on February 7 and will be in effect till further notice.
The DC also stated that the situation was “under control, still very tense.” He further expressed apprehension of violence resurfacing in the town as incidents of arson were reported from Pungro late on Monday evening. The DC quoting the ADC Pungro informed that at least 2-3 houses were targeted in the incidents which occurred around 9:00 pm.
Anticipating trouble, one platoon of armed police was deployed to Pungro from Kiphire earlier in the evening, while level of alertness was heightened in Kiphire town. Kiphire town had in station 4 companies of NAP (IR), out of which one platoon was sent to Pungro, the DC added.
Members belonging to a community were reported to have left Kiphire town following Sunday’s violence. Confirming this, the DC said that the district administration as a precautionary measure had assisted in their evacuation and safe passage.
Meanwhile, Home Minister, Y Patton in press release received late Monday night appealed to all the communities “particularly Yimchunger and Sangtam to avoid any kind of mindless acts as it will only escalate problems and as we know that violence can never be the means to bring peace and solution.” Assuring that the state police is “on the job to nab the culprits,” he stated “this is the time we all have to play our parts to restore peace and tranquillity.”
