Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 9
Atleast 11 people, including a woman were injured after violence broke out at Shamator town on February 9. 4 of them were injured in police firing after security personnel opened fire to quell mob uprisings in the town today.
An official source from Shamator informed that one of the firing victims was moved out of Shamator in a serious condition. It was a narrow escape for a woman, who was among the injured, as the official said she was slightly grazed by a stray bullet on the head. Stating that the woman was discharged from hospital after first-aid, the official added that the nature of injury the others sustained were not life threatening.
In total, 6 houses were burned during the violence, which started around 11:00 am. According to the official, the cases of arson preceded the mob violence. Police personnel responding to the arson sites detained some youths who were in the vicinity, reportedly on suspicion. This angered the townsfolk, who assembled and clashed with the police personnel sporadically throwing projectiles. The police fired in retaliation. This occurred in 2 locations of the town with the official estimating that some 500-600 people took to the streets. The situation calmed at around 4:00 pm.
While stating that there was no fresh occurrence of violence following the day’s unrest, the official said that Cr.PC 144 was in effect. It was promulgated on February 7 prohibiting assembly of 5 or more people. Informing that no arrests were made, the official said that those who were detained during the clashes were either let off or escaped taking advantage of the pandemonium.
The Assam Rifles also mobilised its troops to assist the police in controlling the situation. The AR, in a press release, stated that it escorted to safety school children and innocent civilians caught in the violence, while employing its water bowsers to douse fire.
Tension grips Kiphire
After news of the turmoil in Shamator spread, tension gripped Kiphire. The DC Kiphire informed that a mob tried to further vandalise the houses targeted on February 7 at around noon. They were however dispersed by security personnel. Stating there was no further occurrence of untoward incidents, the DC said that prohibitory orders were relaxed for students appearing the HSLC/HSSLC examinations.
In Pungro, the DC informed that 3 houses were burned and another 3 vandalised on the night of February 8. There was no recurrence of violence today. Stating the situation at Pungro to be under control, the DC said that Cr.PC 144 was not promulgated.
YTC accuses Nagaland govt of ‘double standard’
The Yimchunger Tribal Council (YTC) in a representation to the Nagaland State Chief Minister, TR Zeliang accused the Nagaland State government and administration of “double standard.”
While it accused the administration and security forces of “deliberate apathy and wilful compromise” by turning a “blind eye” to the “lawlessness and rampant arson” when a mob turned violent in Kiphire on February 7, the YTC alleged, that in “contrast” the security forces had “unlawfully and illegally resorted” to “shoot to kill of public and students ...” in Shamator today. This “contrast” it stated was “double standard of governance and administration” by the Nagaland state government.
The YTC said that the security personnel of the IRB stationed in Shamator “unlawfully and illegally resorted to arbitrarily imposing despotic rule of law by terrorising and resorting to shoot to kill on public and students, and grievously injuring and hospitalising many in critical condition...”
It demanded that the State Government initiate immediate inquiry and suspend the erring personnel. It further demanded that the “same yardstick of administration and security be applied regardless of location of the township, tribal/ethnic inhabitants and dominance, and overcome this stark naked, communal prejudice and one sided administration.”
The YTC also appealed “that government officials belonging to communities having issues with Yimchungrus at the local level be immediately transferred so as to avoid prejudices, one sidedness and maladministration especially at Kiphire and Tuensang Headquarters.” It further informed that an FIR has been filed regarding today’s shooting incident.
