MOKOKCHUNG — A
tense situation unfolded in Yajang C village in Mokokchung district last night
(January 7) at around 9 pm when a group of armed men, later identified as Assam
Police personnel in civilian attire, entered the village without prior intimation
or adherence to proper protocol.
The unannounced entry of the cops, numbering around 10 in
civilian attire, alarmed the villagers—compelling them to detain the
‘intruders’ and detain them to ascertain their identity.
SP Mokokchung Vesupra Kezo said, “The villagers were alarmed
seeing the men with guns, which led to their detention. We later found out they
were policemen from Assam, but their civilian attire further heightened the
villagers' suspicions.”
He added that the Assam Police personnel had parked their
vehicles approximately 3 km away from the village and proceeded on foot,
accompanied by a suspected vehicle lifter who had allegedly promised to reveal
accomplices.
According to the SP, the suspect led the Assam Police
personnel into Nagaland, resulting in their unintentional entry into the
village.
Upon receiving information about the situation, Nagaland
authorities, including personnel from the 13 IRB, the officer-in-charge of
Longchem, and the SDPO of 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, which further
alarmed the villagers and led to a scuffle,” the SP explained.
During the confrontation, one Assam Police officer sustained
a head injury but received immediate first aid.
Kezo confirmed that he had communicated with his Jorhat
counterpart and agreed to release the Assam Police personnel unharmed the same
night. However, one Assam Police jawan reported losing a magazine and a few
bullets during the commotion, prompting an extended search in the village until
the following morning (January 8).
The SP Mokokchung criticised the Assam Police for failing to
follow the protocol of contacting the nearest police station for assistance.
“The incident could have been avoided if the Assam Police had informed the
nearest police station, the village authorities, or myself. This negligence on
their part led to unnecessary panic,” he remarked.
He also dismissed circulating disinformation, clarifying that
no arrests were made and no miscreants were apprehended from Nagaland.
