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DIMAPUR — A scuffle reportedly broke out between supporters of the National People's Party (NPP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) late Thursday night at the residence of Nikali Sumi Chophi, NPP candidate for Ward-7 in Dimapur.
According to K Puloto Chishi, chief agent of the NPP candidate, the incident occurred around midnight when a group of approximately 70 individuals in vehicles drove past Chophi’s residence at Xuvihe Colony, shouting slogans in support of the BJP.
In response, NPP supporters stationed at the residence countered with their own slogans, he said, during a press conference on Friday.
The group then reportedly returned to Chophi’s residence and ‘forcefully’ entered the premises, leading to a physical altercation between supporters of the two parties and a vehicle belonging to the NPP supporters was damaged during the scuffle.
The situation was eventually de-escalated with the intervention of local elders, he said.
The chief agent alleged that it was a violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) as campaigning is restricted to between 6 am and 10 pm.
He informed that a complaint has been filed with the sector officer of Ward-7 Dimapur Municipal Council and an FIR registered at the Sub-Urban Police Station in Dimapur.
He added that the party has photographic and video evidence to support their claims.
Kiyeli Sumi, an NPP worker, alleged that some individuals involved in the incident were under the influence of alcohol and that the party’s posters and flags had been removed by unknown individuals.
Nikali Sumi Chophi condemned the incident, saying that entering a candidate's home and causing disturbance is a violation of the MCC, while urging the administration to investigate the matter and take appropriate action.
She accused her opponents of resorting to disruptive tactics due to their lack of substance.
Maintaining that she will continue her campaign and conclude the election peacefully, she urged the residents of Ward-7 to remain calm and cast their ballots in the upcoming elections.