13 arrested with arms and detonators in Tuensang

Principal Correspondent Kohima, February 15 Altogether 13 persons have been arrested in connection with the killing of a student and recurrence of violence at Tuensang on Saturday. Sources said that following the incident, police conducted intensive frisking and arrested four persons in different places today. Two were arrested in an early morning raid conducted by the joint team of district police, IRB and Assam Rifles in an outskirt colony of the town. A 12 bore gun with live ammunitions and other assorted arms, gun powder and four detonators were recovered from their possession, sources said. In another frisking conducted at Tuensang Town by joint team of IRB, including 15 Mahila battalion, two-persons were arrested with two air pistols. Earlier, nine persons were arrested and forwarded to judicial custody yesterday, sources said. Meanwhile, sources also revealed that though the ‘very tensed’ situation has been under control with the re-promulgation of 144 CrPC round the clock since yesterday evening, the state government has sent another company of 11 IR Battalion as reinforcement today. Presently, besides the district police force and Assam Rifles, eight companies of IR battalions, including Mahila have been deployed in and around Tuensang Town to check the movement of armed miscreants and curb further aggravation of the situation, sources added. Sources added that with the ongoing exam schedule, students in uniform or with proper identity cards are being allowed to appear their exams while all emergency services and government officials have also been exempted from the purview of the prohibitory orders. Advisory on Tuensang situation Despite the best efforts of the State Government, civil societies and NGOs to contain the unwanted situation in Tuensang district and restore peace and normalcy, the situation is still tense and uncertain. The situation is also not helped by the spread of rumours and unconfirmed, exaggerated reports of incidents, which may even lead to flaring up of the issue. The Government therefore appeals to all concerned for calm and restraint and not to spread rumours and utterances of communal or provocative statements. The media organisations, reporters and correspondents are also requested to be sensitive to the volatile issue and to confirm all reports from the concerned authority before publication/telecast of such reports. Incidents and statements of individuals or organisations of communal or provocative natures may also be avoided in the interest of public peace in the concerned district. (DIPR)