Free-and-fair? Here bullets fly free-for-all

The political alignment of the underground outfits has become quite clear as the final stages of the countdown to the polls begins. Despite announcements by Th Muivah that the NSCN(I-M) would not ‘‘intervene’’ in the electoral process in Nagaland during the latest round of talks in New Delhi, the ground situation has been different. It’s cadre have been rallying strongly behind the loose coalition of Opposition parties headed by the Nagaland People’s Front. The NSCN(K), on the other hand, is known to have links with the ruling Congress leadership. There is a third one — Naga National Council — that is opposed to Jamir’s government.

State’s chief electoral officer Lal Thara, speaking to The Indian Express, sifted through the daily situation reports filed by the returning officers and SPs of different districts. These show a distinct escalation in the degree of violence and terror. Here are some instances:

• February 14: A group of armed underground activists went around Metsele, Khuza, Chepoketa and Phek Basa villages, threatening to shoot the Congress workers. The villages falls under Meluri constituency. Finally, before leaving the area, they locked up the Congress party offices, stated the report from the local sub-divisional officer. ‘‘The situation is hypersensitive,’’ the report said.

• February 10: At least eight armed cadre of Naga National Council (also known as the Naga Federal Government in the underground) went to Ketsapo and took several villagers away, asking them to give in writing that they would not work for the Congress. While others agreed, Zachinyei refused and was taken to a jungle blindfolded and forced to give the promise in writing.

• February 8: Temsa Thangkul, a ‘lance corporal’ and another cadre of the Pochuri tribe belonging to the NSCN(IM) faction were shot dead by members of the Khaplang faction at Longthunger village bordering Burma. A Khaplang faction cadre was also killed.

Reports of more such incidents are pouring into the office of the state chief electoral officer, Lal Thara. ‘‘Everywhere there is tension. The militant elements are moving from village to village and threatening people. It’s a law and order problem. We don’t have any mechanism to either monitor or control these,’’ said Lal Thara. Chief Minister S C Jamir, too, has written about the sharply deteriorating situation as the poll day draws near.

The Central Election Commission has been briefed about the developments and mounting interference of the underground elements in the electoral process, said Lal Thara. He said the Commission had despatched its trouble-shooter, K J Rao, to Nagaland to take stock of the situation. Rao retired from EC recently as secretary and is now in the Commission. He held two meetings — one in Mokokchung and the other at Dimapur — urging the state government to resort to ‘‘tougher’’ security steps. While Mokokchung is considered to be the stronghold of the Khaplang faction, Dimapur is the home turf of the Isak-Muivah group.

The situation also raises doubts about free and fearless polls. A Naga youth familiar with the scenario recounted how ‘‘commandos’’ in fatigues and their faces masked often emerge on such days, befitting any Bollywood potboiler, to drive in open vehicles and firing into the air. ‘‘The message is received loud and clear by a public still gripped by years of living under the fear of guns.” People might prefer to stay in the safety of their homes than cast their ballots.