Kohima: At least ten persons, including two women, were injured when sporadic group clashes between two communities started on Saturday morning and continued till late night even as Army staged a flag march in and around Dimapur town since Sunday morning.
According to sources here on Sunday, Dimapur, on Saturday was plunged into a state of lawlessness when mob violence, arson, assault, gun firing and stone-pelting led to injuries of at least ten people, including two women, while over 20 light motor vehicles and cars were damaged and one was torched.
The violence was triggered by the death of one Kivika of Kiltomi village under Aghunato Sub-Division, Zunheboto district, while under custody of Quick Response Team (QRT) of Kohima Village Youth Organization (KVYO) was brought to Dimapur on Friday.
A bandh was effected since Saturday morning when shopkeepers were forced to shut down by scores of youth volunteers.
Personnel of the Indian Reserve Battalion and Assam Rifles were deployed but could not prevent sporadic incidents of violence that broke out in several places. Volunteers from the two communities massed along the Dimapur-Chumukedima stretch of the NH 29.
The upper sections, from 6th Mile towards Kohima, were occupied by some Angami youths while the other section, towards Dimapur, by some Sumi youths.
In a firing incident, one youth identified as Kisheto (21) was injured on the head and undergoing treatment in critical condition at CIHSR. It was not yet clear as to who fired the shots. The photo of Kisheto(21)seen lying on the road and circulated through Facebook and MMSs inflamed passions.
However, till late Saturday, Kisheto remains in critical condition with a bullet head lodged in the brain.
Late at night, occupants in speeding Bolero at 3rd Mile shot and injured one Vinito in the leg.
Even by late night, reports of sporadic violence continued to pour in mainly from Two and Half Mile to Chumukedima. Blank and sporadic firing between the two groups that began late afternoon Saturday was reported to be continuing even past midnight.
Situation was said to be tense, but under control, sources said. (UNI)