Misled By Google Maps, Assam Police Team Gets Detained By Nagaland Locals: Here's What Happened Next

While no serious injuries were reported, the incident has raised concerns about inter-state coordination and the role of technological accuracy in critical operations.

The mishap occurred when Google Maps incorrectly marked a tea garden within Assam, which was actually located in Nagaland.

Source : Fausto Hernández/Pexels

16 Assam Police personnel were attacked and detained by locals in Nagaland's Mokokchung district on Tuesday night. As reported by PTI, the team, following directions from Google Maps, inadvertently crossed the state border while conducting a raid to apprehend a criminal.

The mishap occurred when Google Maps incorrectly marked a tea garden within Assam, which was actually located in Nagaland. Believing they were within Assam's jurisdiction, the police team entered the area. However, the locals, seeing armed individuals in civilian clothes, mistook them for criminals and reacted violently.

What Made Locals Suspicious?

Of the 16 police personnel, only three were in uniform, while the rest were in plain clothes. This added to the confusion and fueled suspicion among the locals, who captured the team, detained them overnight, and even injured one officer during the altercation.

The situation escalated as the Assam Police team found themselves outnumbered and unable to explain their presence to the agitated residents. Upon receiving information about the incident, Assam Police alerted their counterparts in Nagaland, requesting assistance.

How Did Nagaland Police Respond?

The Nagaland Police acted swiftly, sending a team to the site to investigate and mediate. Realising the detained individuals were genuine police officers, the locals released five personnel immediately. The remaining 11 members of the team were freed the following morning.

"Of the 16 personnel, only three were in uniform and the rest were in civil dress. This also led to confusion among the locals. They also attacked the team and one of our personnel was injured," a senior police official stated. 

While no serious injuries were reported, the incident has raised concerns about inter-state coordination and the role of technological accuracy in critical operations. Investigations are ongoing to address the miscommunication and prevent future occurrences.