Parties seek to clarify February 18 violence in Indisen village

Dimapur, February 19 (MTNews): In the wake of the election-related violence on Saturday evening in Indisen village of Dimapur, where Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) candidate Y Vikheho Awomi supporters and Indisen Youth Organization had an altercation outside the residence of NDPP candidate Moatoshi Longkumer in Dimapur II AC, both the candidates addressed the press on Sunday to clarify on the matter.

Speaking to media persons on Sunday, Moatoshi Longkumer said that there are stories in various media platforms doing the rounds saying that he provoked the incident to happen; he clarified that they are lies and concocted stories being spread “to confuse the people.”

Longkumer told media persons that about 8 vehicles entered Indisen on the night of the incident, inquiring about the MLA’s residence. The “miscreants” according to him smashed bottles all over the streets and went inside Indisen Village shouting slogans. Members of the Indisen youth organization who had camped outside his residence confronted the miscreants because they were breaking bottles, he said, where “an altercation happened and at that point, 6-7 shots were fired from a Forturner upon which the Indisen youths pelted stones at the vehicles, after which the vehicles speeded away,” he said .

He said that the party has lodged a complaint to the Returning Officer (RO) and the commissioner of police. He also requested the ECI to take into cognizance of the offence committed by entering Indisen without permission from the RO, which he said was a breach of the Model Code of Conduct.

He said that in 2018, 3 candidates including him had contested the assembly elections. “We never had any issue at all; perhaps, Dimapur II was the most peaceful election that we ever had.

Now, I’m wondering, 2023, perhaps with the entry of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) candidate, more trouble are being created by provoking the innocent public,” he said.

While appealing to the perpetrators to “stop provoking others,” he said, “I have also controlled my youths to act peacefully.”

Meanwhile, Steve Chophy, a representative of the LJP candidate Y Vikheho Awomi, clarified to media persons outside the candidate’s residence saying that the party supporters had attended an official campaign meet in the New Market area and while returning, some party youths had entered the area to meet some supporters. He said that during entry to the area, there were no restrictions but upon return, he said, the roads were blocked with vehicles in the road.

Chophy said that the LJP supporters did not confront the public. He said that the supporters did not even come out from the vehicles. With all the videos circulating, it will be evident to the public that “whose party confronted whom and who provoked whom,” he said.

He said that an FIR has been lodged by the candidate’s legal team.

Chophy further said that around 5 supporters of the LJP were injured by the stone pelting and 5 vehicles were damaged. He further alleged that a vehicle had a bullet mark which was a clear indication that the bullets weren’t fired by them.

DAYO condemns

Dimapur Ao Youth Organization (DAYO) has condemned the incident calling it an “act of shenanigans.”

Media Cell of the DAYO in a press release stated on Sunday, “Indisen village, Dimapur known for peace and harmony was tarnished by some rowdy political party workers on the night of 18th February 2023 at around 7:45 PM.”

“When the rule of the land is clear and precise about the election code of conduct, they intruded inside the village jurisdiction where the Dimapur 2 candidate resides. The Indisen Youth Organization who are officially delegated by the Indisen Village Council approached them to ascertain their intention and instead were given vague excuses which were devoid of rationality,” DAYO said.

“When the entire state is gearing up for clean, free and fair elections such provocation is an act of complete disregard to the entire state of Nagaland. DAYO stands by the statement of the Indisen Lanur Telongjem and condemns such acts of shenanigans by any groups or individuals and will be dealt with befitting manner as per Ao custom and rule of law,” it said.