Assam police misled by Google maps, enter Nagaland, captured by locals

Guwahati: A 16-member Assam Police team found themselves in an unexpected and dangerous situation on the night of January 9, 2025, when they mistakenly entered Nagaland’s Mokokchung district during a raid. The team, which was in civil dress and armed, had been following directions from Google Maps to a tea garden they believed was located in Assam. However, the map mistakenly placed the garden in Nagaland, leading the police to cross the state border inadvertently.

Upon entering Mokokchung, the Assam Police team was attacked by local residents who mistook them for criminals. The locals, alarmed by the sight of armed individuals in civilian clothes, captured the police officers and held them captive overnight. One officer was injured during the attack.

The situation escalated quickly as the locals detained the entire 16-member team. Only three of the personnel were in uniform, which further fueled confusion. The Assam Police, upon learning of the incident, quickly alerted their counterparts in Nagaland. The Nagaland Police responded promptly, rushing to the location to intervene.

Once the locals realized that they had captured a legitimate police team, they began releasing the officers. Five members were freed that night, and the remaining 11 were released the following morning. Fortunately, despite the confusion and tension, the situation was resolved without further confusion.