Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 5
Four persons were arrested in connection to the February 4 incident of vandalism and arson at Wokha village. Wokha town remained tense on Monday following Sunday night’s incident during which 6 six vehicles were damaged – 3 burned and 3 vandalised – at a house in Wokha village said to be belonging to the father of poll contender Mhonbemo Humtsoe. There was no report of any human casualty.
The Wokha police when contacted informed that an FIR was registered at Wokha police station and 4 suspects were taken into custody.
The violence and subsequent arrests heightened tension in Wokha town today with reports stating that a mob gheraoed Wokha PS demanding the release of the 4 arrested. The police downplayed the incident stating that a group of people came to the police station during the day, who later left after they were assured of impartial investigation.
There was also a report of a mob pelting stones at the DRDA office though the police denied receiving information of such an incident occurring. The Wokha police declined to make any further comments citing the tense situation and “the safety of all concerned and to maintain the tranquillity here.”
JD (U) files complaint
The JD (U) today filed a complaint in the office of the Wokha Deputy Commissioner alleging acts of arson and vandalism perpetrated against one of its party’s poll contenders Mhonbemo Humtsoe by supporters of an opponent.
The complaint, filed by 38 Wokha Assembly Constituency JD (U) unit president Woshomo Pius Ezung, stated that Sunday night violence was the latest in a spate of alleged threats and intimidation targeted at its party candidate since September 2017. The acts, it accused, were done “with the tacit knowledge of Dr. Chumben Murry,” a prospective NPF candidate from the same constituency.
It also named the Wokha village council (WVC) as abettors stating, “(these) indiscriminate acts are being committed by the goons, where the Wokha village council and its frontal organizations are the back bone and the abettors.”
According to the JD (U) complaint, the WVC has allegedly resolved to endorse only Dr. Murry’s candidature from the village. It added that it submitted copies of a resolution dating to March 2017 adopted by the WVC endorsing the same. The JD (U) also produced a copy of a ‘written agreement’ purportedly supporting the aforesaid Wokha Village general resolution number 17.
In the complaint to the Wokha DC, the JD (U) urged for the closure of Tourist Resort, Hammock Resort and the Wokha Village Women Office. These properties, it alleged, are being used as hubs “of criminal planning and conspiracy.”
While demanding that the perpetrators of Sunday night’s violence be made to compensate the victims, it also called for Dr. Murry owning moral responsibility and further demanded that he be barred from contesting the forthcoming election.
The party further sought de-recognition of the organisations alleged to have been involved.
It meanwhile held that the electors of Humtso village, Elumyo village, Wokha village, Airfield colony W/Town, Mt. Tiyi college colony W/Town, Upper/ Lower NST colony W/Town, Etsutchukha colony W/Town, Midland, Suren and New colony W/Town, Likya (Orchid) colony W/Town, Tsumang ‘13’ W/Town and Rachan colony W/Town “have never experienced their franchise in all elections. The JD (U), therefore, asked that these areas be declared “hyper sensitive and provided with CCTV coverage” during polling.
Furthermore, the JD (U) in the complaint to the DC appealed for promulgation of Section 144 CrPC in the entire jurisdiction of Wokha village. The party alleged to be behind the violence could not be reached for comment.
