Bandhs called in Dimapur, Kohima, Longleng and Phek
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 27 (MExN): The Nagaland State Cabinet today decided to go ahead with the Urban Local Body (ULB) elections scheduled to be held on February 1, stating that it “cannot be deferred.”
The decision to go ahead with the polls was taken after a lengthy meeting of the state cabinet held in Kohima on Friday. A press statement from the Commissioner and Secretary to the Nagaland State Chief Minister said the cabinet decided that the polls would be taken to its “logical conclusion as per provisions of law.”
This decision came in the backdrop of appeals made by various organizations for deferment of the municipal elections.
The statement further asked that “adequate arrangements may be taken by administration and police for smooth conduct of elections.” It however also made clear that the state government is ready for dialogue with tribe Hohos and other organizations to “explain the position of the government.”
Bandhs in Dmp, Khm, Longleng and Phek
The decision of the state cabinet has prompted several organisations to call for bandhs in Kohima, Dimapur, Longleng and Phek, albeit with different timings.
In Dimapur, the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) announced a state-wide bandh beginning January 28 till February 1. The bandh, however, will be totally relaxed on Sunday and will resume on Monday. Announcing the bandh decision to the media on Friday evening, the JCC informed that it will be enforced during the day with certain relaxations.
JCC co-convenor, Vekhosayi Nyekha stated that the bandh in Dimapur will be of 12 hours and will take effect from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm daily.
Stating that pharmacies, medical establishments, para-military, police, district administration and the press will be exempt, Nyekha added that there will be relaxation for funerals, weddings, students on exams and patients seeking medical assistance, including attendants. Pedestrian movement will be restricted while all other government offices, banks and educational institutions will be shut, it was further stated.
“The Cabinet decided that the election cannot be deferred. So let them face the music,” said Vekhosayi.
The JCC further informed that 22 candidates “retired” from the election race today, while another did so a couple days back. Stating that the candidates “appended their signatures to retire”, the JCC said that the “retired” candidates included 16 from the Sumi, 4 from the Lotha and 3 from the Ao communities.
Meanwhile, the Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) announced a bandh on January 28 from 9:00am to 4:00pm within its jurisdiction under Kohima and Dimapur districts.
However, the AYO has exempted the following essential and emergency services: Hospitals, pharmacies, medical visitations and duties, hotels, bakeries, travelers to and from various destinations from beyond the state (ticket proof required), educational institutions, students, weddings (advised to minimize movement), church related programs, press and media (carry identification), newspaper vendors, petrol pumps, gas agencies and deliveries, KMC, MTC, CTC and any sanitation vehicles of village or urban panchayats, farmers moving to and coming from field, military and police (advised to avoid unnecessary provocative movement) and the district administration.
The AYO further advised all government registered vehicles to “stay off the road so that further tension is not caused to the already charged atmosphere.”
The Chakhesang Youth Front also called for a bandh on January 28 from 9:00am to 4:00pm in the Chakhesang region of Phek District. Hospitals, pharmacies, medical duties, wedding parties, police and paramilitary forces, district administration and press are exempted from the purview of this bandh.
The Phom Peoples’ Council (PPC) has meanwhile decided to impose a total bandh within Longleng district from January 31 to February 1 to protest against the ULB polls.
A press note from the PPC informed that the Phom Students’ Conference (PSC) and Longleng Town Students’ Union (LTSU) have been empowered for ensuring total compliance in implementing the bandh. District administration, medical, media, security, paramilitary forces and power department have been exempted from the purview of the proposed bandh.
NCD calls for restraint
In the wake of the several bandhs called, the Naga Council Dimapur has called upon all to maintain peace and harmony in Dimapur and in the state. It urged all to maintain “maximum restrain from resorting to any kind of confrontation or bloodshed.”
It further informed that the office of the Naga Council Dimapur would remain open and “take all initiative to monitor the stock of situation during the ban.” It requested all councilors to be present at its office during the bandh period.
