Morung Express News
Dimapur/Mokokchung/Kohima | January 9
With bandhs imposed by respective tribal hohos as a stricture against the extension of date for filing of nominations in Mokokchung, Tuensang, Kohima, Medziphema and Changtongya municipal and town councils, there was no fresh nomination filed on Monday, the last day of the extended deadline afforded by the State Election Commission.
In Mon town, though there was no bandh, the Chi and Mon landowners, who are protesting against the non-implementation of a 1964 agreement inked between the Anghs of the two villages and the State Government have been boycotting the election process since day one. No candidates could file nomination with volunteers keeping vigil outside the DC’s office.
With nil nominations on Monday, the total number of candidates to contest for the ULB election remained at 567 including 174 women from 27 municipal and town election councils. Out of these, there are 277 candidates from the NPF, 180 Independent, 79 BJP and 31 Congress.
In Mokokchung town, the total bandh by the Ao Senden passed peacefully with no report of any untoward incident. The 8 am- 3 pm bandh was imposed “in protest against the state government’s extension of dateline for filing of nominations to the Nagaland Municipal and Town Councils elections.”
Several hundreds of Ao Senden volunteers assembled at the premises of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Mokokchung to register their protest. Meanwhile, no intending candidate (s) came forward to file their nomination papers to contest in the elections to the Mokokchung Municipal Council.
In Changtongya subdivision, although there was no bandh in place, volunteers made sure that no candidate came near to the office of the ADC to file nominations. Owing to this, an attempt was reportedly made by the aspiring candidates of Changtongya town council to have their nominations filed in the office of ADC, Tuli subdivision. Minister for National Highway, Nuklotoshi and his entourage, reportedly escorted the candidates to Tuli.
ADC Tuli when contacted said the attempt to file nominations in Tuli, which was opted as an alternative due to obstruction in Changtongya was met with stiff opposition by the landowners and therefore nomination could not be filed.
On the report that candidates from Mokokchung had also reached Tuli, purportedly to file their nominations, the ADC said he had heard the report, however, did not meet them. The ADC also said he was not informed of any arrangement being made for Mokokchung candidates to file nomination in Tuli.
The Chang Khulei Setshang (CKS) and Tuensang Village Citizens Union (TVCU) bandh in Tuensang town, which had came into force since Sunday, continued till 6pm on Monday. Despite 47 nomination forms collected from the DC’s office, no candidates dared to file their nomination papers as CKS volunteers kept tight vigil of the DC’s office.
In Kohima, thousands of Angami Public Organization (APO) volunteers spearheaded by the Angami Youth Organization (AYO) poured out into the streets from TCP Gate to North PS junction including D Block area. Normal life was crippled as the public preferred to remain indoors and business establishment downed their shutters.
Meanwhile, a military surveillance drone flying overhead was destroyed by the volunteers from TCP gate. The damaged drone was retrieved by the Assam Rifles later, a police soucre informed.
The ADC & Returning Officer, KMC Lothrongla Tongpi said nil nomination was recorded till 3pm on January 9, the extended date for filing nomination.
In Medziphema, volunteers secured the perimeters leading to office of the ADC and also kept vigil along the National Highway.
Nuklotoshi served with quit notice by Ao Senden
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 9 (MExN): The Ao Senden on Monday served a quit notice to Minister for National Highways, Nuklotoshi from Ao territory with immediate effect. According to a declaration, the Ao Senden said the initiative and action of Nuklotoshi towards Ao community was beyond “tolerance and unacceptable.” The apex civil body of the Ao community however did not specify in particular the action (s) of the Minister that warranted his exclusion from the Ao territory. The Senden also cautioned that it will not take any responsibility if any untoward incidences or incident occur to Nuklotoshi or his parties during and after “this notification.”
The debarment from entering Ao territory will remain until the Minister “acknowledge his misdeed and tender unconditional apology” to the Ao Senden, the resolution stated.
