DIMAPUR: Tension has been reigning high in Nagaland commercial hub Dimapur on Saturday following the physical confrontation between the Semas and the Angamis.
More than a dozen vehicles have been damaged that were plying along the National Highway between Purana Bazar and Chumukedima in Dimapur.
Unconfirmed reports said one person was killed and another injured in the clash at 6th Mile area in Dimapur. A separate report said the actually number of death was two and not otherwise due to the exchange of gunfire between the Angami mob and that of the Semas.
The Semas reportedly pointed their fingers at the IRB personnel for shooting the Sema man but eye witnesses said it was from the Angami side that had shot the Sema man. In the process of gunfire, a woman hailing from Chakesang community was also reportedly injured.
Both the Sema man and the Chakesang woman succumbed to their injuries, said the unconfirmed reports.
Attempts to ascertain the reports of the killings from the officials proved futile.
Earlier in the day, a luxury resort Niathu Resort owned by chief minister Neiphiu Rio’s son was also damaged by the Sema mob.
The large number of mob also attempted to gheroe residences of chief minister Neiphiu Rio and other Angami houses but they were confronted by the Angami mob.
Youths in large number perching in Bolero jeeps and Gypsy jeeps armed with machetes, sticks and stones were seen speeding around the highway shouting against the each other community on Saturday before the curfew was imposed.
The district administration has promulgated indefinite curfew (CrPC 144) from Saturday evening as a pre-emptive measure.
The problem began since 8 am on Saturday with Sema youths enforcing lightning bandh in Dimapur.
Shops that defied the diktats of the Sema youths have been damaged.
It all began following the death of a Sema youth in Kohima yesterday because of a mob thrashing for stealing a bike.
The victim identified has been identified as one Kivika Assumi s/o of Kanito Assumi of Keltomi village under Aghunato sub-division of Zunheboto district.
Kivika Assumi was reportedly caught by members of the Quick Response Team of Kohima Village Youth Organisation (KVYO-QRT) in the wee hours of Friday from Indira Gandhi stadium area on charges of stealing a Pulsar bike along with two of his friends.
Meanwhile, an official source said a one man ‘high powered’ inquiry has been instituted to be headed by a senior officer to investigate into the killing of Kivika Assumi in Kohima on Friday.
The whole process of investigation is to be completed in 30 days time, said the official source in Kohima.
Meanwhile, till the filing of this report, youths holding sticks, machetes, hammers and stones are gathering in 3rd Mile and 4th Mile areas of Dimapur.
The security force personnel enforcing the curfew are confronting the mob.
Things were very tense till late Saturday evening. (NNN)