Voters casting their votes at Longkhum PS 1 Koridang Assembly Constituency in Mokokchung on April 9. (Photo Courtesy: AIR News Kohima)
Mokokchung, April 9 (MExN): Mokokchung Police have dismissed as “baseless and unsubstantiated” allegations by the National People’s Party (NPP) of anti-social elements impersonating India Reserve Battalion (IRB) personnel in three villages of Koridang constituency in Mokokchung district.
In a clarification submitted to the Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer (DEO), Mokokchung, Senior Superintendent of Police Vesupra Kezo (NPS) said IRB personnel were legitimately deployed in Chungtia, Longkhum and Mangmetong villages in view of the prevailing law and order situation on the ground ahead of elections.
“Prohibitory orders under Section 163 BNSS were imposed in Chungtia on March 29, 2026, and in Longkhum and Mangmetong on April 6, 2026, due to serious electoral offences wherein supporters of different political parties clashed, resulting in death, injuries and damage to property,” the SSP said. “The volatile situation in these villages was brought under control following adequate deployment of IRB personnel and strict enforcement of the prohibitory orders,” he added.
With regard to the allegation, the Police said Sector Commanders were directed to verify the identity and deployment details of all IRB personnel posted in these locations. “Upon verification, no case of impersonation was detected among the personnel deployed,” the SSP clarified.
The Sector Commanders were also instructed to gather intelligence from various sources regarding any such impersonation by suspected civilians. “No such inputs or reports have been received.
Additionally, regular patrolling and surveillance were conducted in peripheral and vulnerable areas, however, no such incident came to light,” the clarification stated.
The Police also stated that the respective village councils of Chungtia, Longkhum and Mangmetong were also consulted on the matter. They reported that “no such incidents of impersonation have occurred within their jurisdictions.”
To verify the allegations, the DC and DEO along with the SP, Mokokchung, visited all three villages on April 8 and received no complaints of impersonation from any individual, village authority or council.
The SSP said the allegation appeared to have been raised “with the intent to tarnish the image of IRB personnel, who are performing their duties diligently to ensure the peaceful and fair conduct of elections.”
The clarification came in response to a complaint filed by the NPP on April 8 to the Chief Election Commissioner at Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi. NPP National Secretary Saidul Khan had alleged that anti-social elements were posing as IRB personnel in the three villages and were “exercising unauthorised control over the movement of villagers, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, and potentially suppressing free voter participation.”
