Wokha DC recommends inquiry on AR firing

Kohima, Nov 8 (UNI) Deputy Commissioner of Wokha A. Wopen Lotha has recommended an inquiry into the firing by Assam Rifles in Wokha town on Thursday night when the Lotha tribe of Nagaland were celebrating Tokhu Emon festival at the Public Ground.

Official sources said the DC, in his report to the Commissioner of Nagaland, has urged upon the Government to set up an inquiry into the blank firing of over 150 rounds when the festival was on.

In his report, the DC said an Assam Rifles jawan, along with two local women, went to a hotel to book a room. When the manager said no room was vacant, the jawan started abusing him. Local youths present there, reportedly assaulted the jawan.

Later the jawan came with some other jawans and threatened the manager, which enraged the local youths. On Thursday night some AR jawans in civvies picked up a quarrel with the youths, which turned into scuffle and later to firing in the air.

A constable of the Wokha police station was also injured and admitted to hospital with head injury.

Meanwhile, in a release issued here last night by Maj. Pallab Choudhury, PRO of the Inspector General of Assam Rifles (North), said a high-level inquiry into the incident had been ordered. The Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Headquarter Nagaland Range (South) visited Wokha yesterday and met the civil officials and public leaders for fact finding and to take stock of the situation.

It also said stern action would be initiated against erring Assam Rifles personnel if found guilty. It further said that Maj. Gen. J.

P. Nehra, IGAR (N) had conveyed his solidarity to the Lotha community and expressed regrets about the incident.

UNI AS PL KLC1321