Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton visits Lamhainamdi-Kiyevi disputed site

Dimapur, Nov. 8 (EMN): Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton, who is also the Home minister, visited the Lamhainamdi-Kiyevi disputed site on Tuesday, following the violent clash on Monday (November 7), which injured at least five people.

He was accompanied by Home Commissioner, Commissioner Nagaland, ADGP (Adm.) ADGP (Law and Order), IGP (Range), IGP (IR), Commissioner of Police Dimapur, DC Peren, DCP Chumoukedima, and SP Peren.

Patton appealed to all concerned to maintain peace, refrain from any act that might escalate the situation, and urged everyone to adhere to the order of the government, an update from DIPR stated.

He mentioned that the government has requested the Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) and Tenyimi Peoples’ Organisation (TPO) to hold discussions with the parties concerned for maintaining peace and to help resolve the issue amicably.

Patton also lauded the district administration and police forces for their “timely and tactful intervention and for exercising utmost restraint”, which helped bring the situation under control. He added that sufficient police forces have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order.

Limasunep, IGP (Range), gave a briefing about the incident that took place on November 7 at Lamhainamdi, while the Home Commissioner and ADGP (Admin) spoke about the incident, it said.

DC HQ (Comm. Office), ADC Peren, Jalukie and Medziphema, SEO (C) Chumoukedima, EAC Seithekima, Jalukie, SDO (C) Peren, and SDO(C) Dhansiripar were also present at the spot.

WSH accuses government of inaction, indifference

Following the incident, the Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) has accused the state government of “inaction” and “indifferent” attitude in “maintaining its own order” at the disputed site, thereby leading to the November 7 incident.

It stated that a 21-day ultimatum was served by the Western Sumi Youth Front (WSYF), where it warned to take its own course of action if it (status quo) was not implemented by the government, a statement issued by WSH said.

Further, WSH demanded the immediate suspension of the India Reserve personnel “who opened fired at the protestors” on November 7; eviction of the “illegal encroachers” and maintaining status quo at the disputed site as per the order on June 25, 2019 and July 8, 2019.

WSH stated that since Kiyevi village falls under the jurisdiction of Chumoukedima district, all administrative and police arrangements should be deployed from Chumoukedima district.

It has also demanded the “immediate arrest” of the Lamhainamdi GB for using “inflammatory language” which could lead to further escalation of the situation on communal lines.