Three hurt in Assam Police firing
Kohima: Tension ran high along Nagaland- Assam border, when Assam Police in civvies opened fire in two places from Karbi Anglong district side of Assam towards the Dikoi village area under Dimapur district of Nagaland, injuring three persons with gunshots.
According to official sources on Tuesday, there was high tension along the border between the districts of Karbi Anglong and Dimapur escalated into two firing incidents, earlier at Dikoi village at around 8.55 a.m. and the second at Aoyimküm village at around 2.15 p.m. on Monday, allegedly by Assam Police in ‘civvies’, which resulted three persons suffered minor injuries in the first incident.
Sources revealed that at least over a hundred rounds were fired from across the border. Two bullet heads, one from AK rifle and the other from INSAS rifle, were also recovered by police from within Dikoi village site. It was confirmed that all three belonged to the Sumi tribe who were admitted to private hospitals for treatment.
Sources quoting the Village Chairman Zandi Domta of Dikoi village located at the disputed border area, that Assam Police in ‘civvies’ fired from two ends of the border at around 8.55 a.m. and lasted for nearly two hours.
The Dikoi Village Chairman asserted that the villagers restrained from reacting. Further he maintained that Dikoi villagers were not involved in any encroachment or lawless activities and only engaged in jungle clearing and protecting the village boundary as allotted by the government of Nagaland.
He maintained that Dikoi villagers have never encroached on and land within Nagaland or Assam. The Chairman of Aoyimküm village said the house of the village GB was also hit by a bullet during the incident.
The chairman disclosed that tension between his village and Dikoi rose following alleged encroachment by the latter. He also disclosed that Aoyimküm village council had lodged a complaint with district administration against alleged encroachment by Dikoi villager. He said the Government had demarcated the boundary by laying pillars on October 13, 2008.
He said Dikoi Village Council has been issued a show cause notice within 14 days from the date of issue of the notice, as to why its villagers should not be evicted from the present site failing which, the Dikoi villagers will be evicted without further notice. He also said that despite requests for security, the Government has so far not responded, but neglected the ‘most tense border area’.
He said women and children living close to the Assam Police outpost had fled for safety and were taking refuge with other families.
Peace Committee Dispute Area (PCDA) ABC sector (Assam-Nagaland) has condemned the firing on two Naga youths at Nitozu village gate on April 11 at around 9.15 p.m. and also the shooting at a truck driver on April 9 near Luhezhe village by unidentified miscreants.
In a statement, PCDA press secretary H. K. Chishi said that in both the incidents, the victims miraculously escaped unharmed. (UNI)