Mokokchung District Jail wall collapses amid heavy rainfall

MOKOKCHUNG — Following incessant rainfall in Mokokchung for the past few days, a 110-foot-long, 16-foot-high boundary wall of Mokokchung District Jail collapsed suddenly at around 4.30 pm on August 27.

Authorities confirmed that the incident, which occurred after inmates were locked in their wards, posed no immediate security threat, thanks to swift action by jail staff and police personnel.

Jail Superintendent L Bumeng reported that the facility currently houses 73 inmates, including 27 transferred from Wokha Jail after its wall collapsed on August 16.

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“Two of those transferred have since been bailed, leaving our current strength at 73,” he said. Bumeng noted the fortunate timing of the collapse, stating, “Had it happened earlier, there could have been escape attempts, posing a serious security risk.”

The inmates, primarily booked under the NDPS Act and NLTP Act, with a few convicted of murder and assault, were secure in their wards at the time.

Immediate response efforts began on August 28, with 16–20 jail staff erecting a temporary barrier.

Mokokchung Police personnel and jail staff secured the premises, with additional reinforcement from 13 NAP IR personnel deployed for night duty to ensure continued safety.

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“I have full trust in my staff and the security measures in place,” Bumeng affirmed, rejecting suggestions to transfer inmates to another district. “We will keep the inmates here,” he added.

The collapse prompted visits from key officials, including the SDPO Mokokchung on August 27, followed by the Additional SP, Reserve DSP, and District Administration on August 28, who assessed the situation and coordinated response efforts.

Director General of Prisons Renchamo P Kikon has assured full support and necessary assistance for reconstruction, though Superintendent Bumeng did not provide a timeline for when repairs would begin.