Dimapur, January 3 (MExN): The Nagaland Home Commissioner, on January 3, said that the situation in Sitimi, Kiphire remain tense but was under control.
“As per reports received from District Administration, Kiphire, Situation in Sitimi, Kiphire is tense but under control,” stated a press release from Nagaland Home Commissioner Abhishek Singh late Wednesday evening.
“For the last few days, District Administration has been taking all necessary steps to ensure that the situation remains peaceful and cordial relations between Sumis and Sangtams is not disrupted,” it said.
Additional forces have been deployed in Sitimi for ensuring peace and normal law and order situation, it added.
The District Administration has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC to prevent any untoward incident while Indian Reserve Battalions and Assam Rifles were also on standby to ensure peaceful situation.
The Home Commissioner also cautioned that, “Any attempt to create mischief or promote discord by circulating mischievous messages on Social Media will be dealt with severely.”
“In order to prevent rumour mongering, necessary steps have been taken to restrict the use of social media for spreading rumours,” it said.
The Government, through a notification on January 2, has also promulgated Section 144 Cr.PC and Section 5 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, which prohibited with immediate effect sending of bulk SMS and suspension of Mobile/Data Services of all mobile service providers.
This prohibition will be enforced in the District of Kiphire in Nagaland till further order, the notification said adding, “Violation of this promulgation will be punishable under Section 188 CR.PC.”
Meanwhile, the Home Commissioner further informed that that senior leaders from both communities have appealed for peace and normalcy.
“The Government also appeals to all concerned to maintain peace and not do anything that disrupts normal life,” it urged.
According to the an earlier notification issued by from the Deputy Commissioner, Kiphire on December 30, a Representation was submitted to the Office by the 11(Eleven) Sumi Villages under Sitimi Area objecting the use of the nomenclature "Singti" by the Sangtam Students' Union in connection with the organization of its students' conference to be held from 3'° January 2018 onwards at Natsami village.
And as per the Office Memorandum issued from Commissioner Office, dated January 4, 2007, “any conference of a single tribal/clan, whether social, student or religious gathering shall not be allowed without specific written permission from the competent authority, the concerned Deputy Commissioner especially in controversial towns.”
Henceforth, any such Conference/Gathering held without due permission from the competent authority shall be considered unauthorized and unlawful thereby attracting penal provision, it had said.
In the light of the above mentioned order, the Concerned Students' Union was directed to take prior written permission from the competent Authority.
.JPG)
