Chumoukedima (Nagaland) [India], April 8 (HBTV): The National People’s Party (NPP) has raised concerns over suspected impersonation of Indian Reserve Police personnel by rival political workers ahead of the by-election to the 28-Koridang Assembly constituency in Mokokchung district.
In a letter addressed to the Election Commission of India, the party called for the deployment of central paramilitary forces in the area, which is scheduled for polling on April 9, and to verify the police forces there.
The NPP claimed that it had received ‘credible ground inputs’ indicating that anti-social elements were allegedly impersonating personnel of the Nagaland India Reserve Battalion and were stationed in Chungtia, Longkhum and Mangmetong.
According to the party, these individuals were exercising unauthorised control over the movement of villagers, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation that could potentially influence or suppress voter participation.
The NPP warned of an imminent threat to free and fair polling, stating that the presence of unverified armed personnel or impersonators in sensitive locations increases the risk of voter intimidation, booth capturing and disruption of law and order on polling day.
‘This situation, if not immediately addressed, will seriously compromise the conduct of free and fair elections, which is the constitutional mandate under Article 324,’ the party stated.
The party has urged the Election Commission to intervene immediately and conduct verification of all deployed personnel.
‘In view of the seriousness of the matter, we respectfully request the Election Commission to order an immediate verification of all IRB personnel deployed in the Koridang by-election area; direct removal of any unverified or impersonating individuals posing as security personnel; replace the IRB deployment with Central Paramilitary Forces to ensure neutrality and credibility; deploy central observers or micro-observers in Chungtia, Longkhum and Mangmetong; and issue strict instructions to ensure no intimidation or restriction of voter movement,’ the letter stated.
The NPP also appealed to the Director General of Police, Nagaland, to conduct an independent verification of state police personnel.
The party requested the police chief to immediately verify the identity and deployment records of all IRB personnel in the affected areas and to take strict legal action against any impersonators or unauthorised armed elements.