Section 144 Cr.Pc imposed | Mobile Internet blocked
Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Jan. 3 (EMN): The use of a nomenclature has triggered tension in the Sitimi area of Kiphire district inhabited by the Sumi and Sangtam community on Wednesday Jan. 3 prompting the state government to prohibit bulk SMS and mobile internet/data service, of all mobile service providers till further orders in Kiphire district.
According to police sources, trouble started after the Singti Area Sangtam Students’ Union (SASSU) 21st general session which was scheduled to be held from Jan. 3 2018 onwards at Natsami village. The general session with the nomenclature ‘Singti’ was objected by the Sumi community of Sitimi area.
The police source informed that “the nomenclature ‘Sitimi’ is used by the Sumi community of the area and ‘Singti’ by the Sangtam community. As per the government notification of May 2017 ‘Sitimi’ will be used for all official purposes while ‘Singti’ can be used for social and religious gatherings”.
It was reported on Wednesday that tension prevailed in the area around 3 to 4 pm where seven houses belonging to the Sangtam community were burned and one injured. The police source denied the supposed rumours of one person killed and clarified that the victim died accidently and may not be necessarily related to the current issue but the exact cause could not be ascertained till the filing of this report.
In a notification issued by the state government the Home department (Political branch) dated Jan. 2, stated ‘there is apprehension of grave law and order problem in Kiphire district owing to the prevailing tension in the Sitimi area. Therefore, in order to prevent breach of the public peace and tranquillity the Home Commissioner, Nagaland promulgate notification under Section 144 Cr.PC and Section 5 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, to prohibit bulk SMS of all Mobile Service Providers and Mobile Internet/Data Service of all Mobile Service Providers with immediate effect till further order in Kiphire district. Violation of this promulgation will be punishable under Section 188 CR.PC.’
In another order issued by the office of the Deputy Commissioner Kiphire dated Dec. 30 2017 that was circulating on whatsapp stated ‘Whereas a representation was submitted to this Office by the eleven Sumi Villages under Sitimi area objecting the use of the nomenclature “Singti” by the Sangtam Students' Union in connection with the organisation of its students' conference to be held from Jan. 3 2018 onwards at Natsami village. And whereas, the representation contained certain conditions set before the authorities. This office is examining the matter with full sincerity and urgency. Therefore, the petitioners are hereby directed not to place such conditions before the authority and withdraw the same immediately”.
The notice also stated that, a banner was erected in Sitimi town and Natsami village without the prior approval of the authority concerned which led to submission of the representation.
The Deputy commissioner therefore cited the order of Commissioner Nagaland that decreed that such gatherings in 'controversial towns' shall not be allowed without the written permission from the competent authority and therefore directed the students' union to take 'prior written permission'.
“And as per the Office Memorandum issued from Commissioner Office, Nagaland dated Kohima Jan. 4 2007 any conference of a single tribal/clan, whether social, student or religious gathering shall not be allowed without specific written permission from the competent authority, the concerned Deputy Commissioner especially, in controversial towns. Henceforth, any such Conference/Gathering held without due permission from the competent authority shall be considered unauthorised and unlawful thereby attracting penal provision. In the light of the above mentioned order, the concerned Students' Union is hereby directed to take prior written permission from the competent Authority,” stated the order.
In a late report issued by the Home Commissioner Abhishek Singh it was informed that according to reports received from district administration, Kiphire, the situation in Sitimi, was tense but under control.
"For the last few days, District Administration has been taking all necessary steps to ensure that the situation remains peaceful and cordial relations between Sumis and Sangtams is not disrupted. In order to prevent rumour mongering, necessary steps have been taken to restrict the use of social media for spreading rumours. Any attempt to create mischief or promote discord by circulating mischievous messages on Social Media will be dealt with severely," he stated.
It further informed that additional forces have been deployed in Sitimi for ensuring peace and 'normal law and order situation'. The district administration had also imposed prohibitive orders under Section 144 Cr.Pc. IRB units and Assam Rifles are also on standby to ensure peaceful situation. senior leaders from both communities have appealed for peace and normalcy.
The government also appealed to all concerned to 'maintain peace and not do anything that disrupts normal life'.
