Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 23
In Dimapur, polling in Singrijan (under 3 Dimapur-III) was conducted under heightened security and just as much drama and tension. Incidences of intermittent clashes between rival supporters were reported in the area well before polling began at 7:00 am. The clashes were mostly between NPF and Congress supporters.
On polling day, a total of 14 vehicles, including two-wheelers and four-wheelers were seen sprawled about and damaged in a spot just opposite to the polling area. The damaged vehicles, which included two scooters, four motorbikes, seven small vehicles and a dumper truck, belonged to both parties, witnesses said.
Two persons were also reported to have been shot and injured in a clash which erupted during the night. The identity of the injured could not be established. Police on the other hand said that no reports of people being shot and injured were received aside from the reports of gunfire in the area during the night.
When polling began, the situation was by and large peaceful albeit the palpable tension prevalent in the air. Polling went on without any major disturbances till late afternoon but at an excruciatingly slow pace.
Problem began towards the scheduled close of polling when allegations of bogus voters being allowed to vote arose. The CLP leader, Tokheho Yepthomi raised the objection while demanding that the polling officials properly verify the authenticity of the voting slips and the electors in possession of the slips of paper. It led to further drama forcing polling to stop temporarily. Heated exchanges ensued between the candidates, their close aides and also with the security personnel.
Now, the people in the queue also joined the drama. Exasperated and annoyed, brought on mostly by the long wait at the queue, emotions were let out. The queue broke, the police charged while some ran helter-skelter. One even went to the extent of angrily confronting the candidates before the person was stopped short. The CLP leader was at point seen coming to the defence of Azheto Zhimomi, when one voter came threateningly close to his rival, colleagues after all in the Assembly.
Polling resumed but it was well past the closing hour. Meanwhile, supporters of both parties arrived in drove hearing of the disturbance. They were however prevented from coming to blows as security personnel made a human barricade in between.
Trouble was also reported in a few polling stations in 2 Dimapur-II. Armed men were said to have resorted to blank firing at the polling stations in Government Higher Secondary School, Nagarjan when polling had just begun. Stone-pelting incidents along with voters throwing open protective barricades leading into the polling area also occurred. The situation was however prevented from deteriorating.
In Mao colony, reports of intimidating tactics being employed were also reported. One polling station in PWD also reported disturbance arising from some individuals withholding voting slips from genuine voters.
Alleged ‘coups’ and stone peting
Tseminyu reported problems in the morning itself, with polling stations 12 and 13 allegedly “couped” by NPF party supporters. This was followed by stone pelting on the national highway and eventually security forces were recalled from the area, leading to the loss of any complaint forum, complained locals.
In Sendenyu, supporter of the same party, smashed the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) at around 4 pm and was taken into police custody thereafter. It is not clear if there will be a re-poll here.
The Ralan area in Wokha, under 40 Bhandari A/C, complaints of “couping” by NCP party supporters in as many as 7 villages, including New Ralan, Woruku, Liphayan, Old Chandalashung and Shoshan were alleged. Security arrangements in the area are reported to have been lax.
Kiphire’s 59 Siyuchong-Sitimi A/C heard 5-6 blank gun shots but no one was injured, and who fired the shots could not be confirmed either.
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