Nagaland: Section 144 CrPC imposed in Dimapur, Chumoukedima and Niuland

Dimapur: Commissioner of police in Dimapur district of Nagaland, Kevithuto Sophie, promulgated prohibitory order under Section 144 CrPC banning assembly of five or more people in public places within the jurisdiction of Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC), East Dimapur Town Council (EDTC), Chumoukedima Town Council (CTC), Medziphema Town Council (MTC) and Niuland Town Council (NTC) under the police commissionerate districts of Dimapur, Chumoukedima and Niuland from 5pm of Tuesday to 7pm of June 27 except within the 100-meter perimeter of the polling stations during the scheduled polling period to urban local body elections on June 26.

In an order on Tuesday (June 25), Sophie said there is sufficient ground for proceeding under Section 144 of the CrPC, 1973, as it has come to his knowledge that there is apprehension of breach of peace and threat to public tranquility that might affect the peaceful conduct of ULB elections.

The order also prohibited movement of person/s from one ward to another or from adjoining villages to municipal/town council jurisdictions on the day of poll, holding and attending any public meeting, procession or any unlawful assembly in connection with the election, display to the public any election matter by means of any print/electronic media or other similar apparatus, propagating any election matter  in any polling area intended or calculated to influence or affect the result of election, carrying of lethal weapons and firearms in public places including lathis, machetes, daggers, sticks, spears, swords, and catapults, carrying of any kind of inflammable objects which may endanger public life and property and use of PA system in any public places or near the polling station so as to cause public annoyance or disturbance.

It said any individual/group found in contravention of this order would be liable for punitive action under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code and the Nagaland Municipal Act 2023.

“As the notice cannot be served individually on all concerned, the order is, hereby, passed ex-parte due to circumstantial exigency,” Sophie said.

He added that the notice would be published for information of public through the press and affixing copies on the notice boards of the offices of all district administration, DCPs, ADCPs, ACPs and police stations under Dimapur, Chumoukedima and Niuland districts.