Kohima: The 12-hour Dimapur bandh called by the NFHRCC on Monday saw sporadic clashes between supporters and groups opposing the bandh.
According to sources today even as shops downed their shutters in the main town, almost all government establishments, including the Deputy Commissioner’s office and financial institutions, remained open, though sparsely populated.
Clashes erupted between the two groups in the morning and later in the afternoon at Green Park Junction. Intermittent stone pelting reportedly began at around 8:00am, when those opposing the bandh came from Chumukedima and confronted bandh volunteers at the Junction.
The stone pelting resumed on a heavier scale at around 10:10am, compelling police to chase the proponents towards Green Park. By 11:30am, police reinforcements arrived and dispersed the two groups by firing teargas shells. Police then proceeded towards Chumukedima firing teargas shells, where a large number of people had gathered.
In the evening, fresh clashes erupted between the two groups at 5th Mile.
Police resorted to blank firing to disperse the crowd. Later, at a press meet in the residence of treasurer, NFHRCC convener Supu Jamir, said police, comprising IRB and police personnel, resorted to lathicharge and also fired around 300 to 400 rounds in the air including four to five teargas shells to disperse the volunteers. He said three volunteers were admitted to a nursing home and six in District Hospital Dimapur for treatment of injuries.
Around 16 were picked up and arrested, including a youth who was found to possess arms and ammunition. All the arrested have been placed in custody under East Police Station. (UNI)
