Mokokchung Police deny NPP claims of IRB impersonation, confirm deployment followed electoral violence and no fake personnel found
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MOKOKCHUNG — The Superintendent of Police, Mokokchung, has rejected allegations made by the Nationalist People’s Party (NPP) that anti-social elements were impersonating Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) personnel in the villages of Chungtia, Longkhum, and Mangmetong.
In a detailed clarification letter sent on April 8 to the deputy commissioner and district election officer, Sr. Superintendent of Police Vesupra Kezo stated that comprehensive checks found no evidence of any impersonation.
He stressed that IRB personnel had been deployed in the three villages solely to restore calm following serious electoral violence.
According to the letter, prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS were imposed in Chungtia on March 29 and in Longkhum and Mangmetong on April 6 after clashes between supporters of rival political parties resulted in deaths, injuries, and damage to property.
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The situation was brought under control only after the deployment of sufficient IRB forces and strict enforcement of the restrictions.
Sector commanders were directed to verify the identity and posting details of every IRB member in the area.
The verification process confirmed that all deployed personnel were genuine. Intelligence inputs collected from multiple sources also failed to reveal any reports of civilians posing as security forces.
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Regular patrolling and surveillance in vulnerable zones turned up no suspicious activity.
To further investigate the claims, the deputy commissioner, district election officer, and superintendent of police personally visited all three villages on April 8.
During the visit, no complaints or reports of impersonation were received from any local resident, village authority, or council member.
The police officer concluded that the allegations appear to be baseless and without proper verification.
He suggested the complaint may have been filed with the intention of damaging the reputation of IRB personnel, who continue to perform their duties with dedication to ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections.
Copies of the clarification have been forwarded to the inspector general of police (ABNS) & SPNO in Kohima and to the police observer in Mokokchung for information.