Kohima:An uneasy calm prevailed in Tuensang town, even though no any fresh violence was reported on Saturday evening.
Official sources said the District administration promulgated Section 144 of the Cr. P C for 36 hours following a violent Friday, which witnessed two brutal deaths, of a minor boy and a policeman, a consequence of the surfacing of a feud between two tribes.
The town remained deserted look with all commercial establishments downing shutters. Schools and colleges were also closed for the day. Citizens remained indoors. There was more than enough reason to be afraid and stay on guard.
After the Friday’s killing, incidents of arson in pockets of Tuensang town were reported till late in the evening. At least, three houses were partially burned at BOC; NAP and RP gate area after mobs went on rampage and tried to set the houses ablaze.
On Saturday morning, the policeman, who became the last victim of the conflict, was accorded a solemn funeral at Chessore village.
Nagaland Police announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs Two Lakh and an extra- ordinary pension to the next of his kin of the victim. As detailed reports surfaced, the policeman was first grievously beaten up at his home at NST colony in Tuensang town by a mob right after he had returned from his duty at BOC. He was rushed to the hospital by his friends.
However, the mob which had risen in number, and on the hunt, reached the hospital. The already injured victim was killed some distance away from the hospital after a failed attempts made by friends to carry him out of the hospital to safety.
According to reports, the victim’s friends also received injuries. Five people were arrested after the rampage with the police confiscating one .22 caliber country-make pistol from their possession.
The brutal action was apparently in retaliation to the killing of a 15 year old boy at the fields between Sotukur and Chingmelen village in the morning. The mother of the victim and sister were abducted, but later released after civil societies, police and administration went on a massive hunt and pleaded for their release.
According to the police, the mother and child were rescued around midnight.
In view of the tense situation and fearing escala-tion, additional security of two companies of Nagaland Armed Police (NAP) was rushed to Tuensang after the incident. Section 144 Cr. P C which was promulgated for 36 hours will end on Sunday. (UNI)
