Assam Police enter Yajang C Village in Nagaland ‘accidentally’, triggering tension

A tense situation unfolded in Yajang C Village in Mokokchung last night (January 7) around 9 PM when a group of armed men, later identified as Assam Police personnel, entered the village without prior intimation or proper protocol. The unannounced entry of the group, numbering around 10 and not in uniform, startled the villagers, who detained them out of fear and suspicion.

Speaking to MT, SP Mokokchung Vesupra Kezo, stated, “The villagers were alarmed seeing the men with guns, which led to their detention. We later found out they were policemen from Assam, but they were in civil attire, not uniforms, which caused further suspicion.”

The Assam Police reportedly entered Yajang C village while detaining a vehicle theft suspect who allegedly promised to reveal more accomplices. According to the Assam Police, the suspect led them into Nagaland, causing them to ‘accidentally’ enter the village.

Upon receiving information, local authorities of Nagaland, including personnel from the 13 IRP, Officer-in-Charge of Longchem, and SDPO Mangkolemba, rushed to the scene. “The first team of Assam Police was led by a Deputy SP. Later, a second team of six personnel arrived in two vehicles, further alarming the villagers,” the SP said.

During an attempt by the villagers to stop the Assam Police, one officer sustained a head injury but was provided first aid immediately.

SP Mokokchung confirmed that he and SP Jorhat had spoken and agreed to release the Assam Police personnel unharmed the night itself. However, one Assam Police jawan reported losing a magazine during the incident, leading to an extended search in the village until the following morning (8 January). “We don’t know where they lost the magazine, as they had walked approximately three kilometers before entering the village,” the SP added.

The SP emphasized that the incident could have been avoided had the Assam Police followed proper protocol. “They came without informing the village, the nearest police station, or me. The protocol is that they should inform the nearest police station on our side (Nagaland) or at least their counterparts. It is their negligence,” he remarked.

He also refuted reports about the Assam Police being ‘ambushed’, calling such reports “totally baseless and false.” SP Jorhat reportedly stated that the personnel entered Yajang C village “by mistake.”

“The situation is now normal and under control,” SP Mokokchung added.

Meanwhile, according to a senior official of Assam Police, the incident occurred on Tuesday (January 7, 2025) night when a team of the Jorhat District Police was carrying out a raid to apprehend an accused.

“It was a tea garden area, which was shown in Assam on Google Maps. However, it was actually inside Nagaland. The team went inside Nagaland in pursuit of the criminal due to confusion and misleading guidance on GPS,” PTI quoted the official.

“Of the 16 personnel, only three were in uniform and the rest were in civil dress. This also led to confusion among the locals. They also attacked the team and one of our personnel was injured,” he added.

Upon receiving the information of the hostile situation in Nagaland, the Jorhat Police immediately contacted Mokokchung Superintendent of Police, who sent a team to the spot to rescue the Assam Police personnel.

MT