Nagaland demonstrates against CAB

State-wide shutdown observed on February 11

Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 11

Public resentment against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 continues to simmer in the North East. On February 11, normal life came to a standstill in Nagaland State after a shutdown called by a conglomeration of Naga civil organizations under the banner of the Nagaland GB Federation (NGBF) took effect. 

The bandh came into effect from 6:00am-4:00pm in Dimapur, Kohima, Wokha, Zunheboto, Peren, Mokokchung and Phek. In the eastern districts, it was observed from 6:00am-12:00pm after the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) called for reducing the bandh duration to 6 hours on account of the HSLC and HSSLC examinations, which starts on February 12. 

Reports stated that the bandh was total in all the districts, including the sub-divisional headquarters and other townships. 

Banking institutions and commercial establishments remained closed, while vehicular movement was also restricted. Regular government operations were completely paralysed, except the police and administrative functioning, with employees choosing to skip work on account of the shutdown. 

Streets in the State capital Kohima and the commercial hub Dimapur wore a deserted look while essential services like Health and Emergency services functioned as normal. 

Unlike other bandh days, in Dimapur, most road intersections within town were devoid of any volunteer-checkpoints. Few volunteers were seen deployed only at important intersections.

In Phek town, vehicular as well as pedestrian movement was affected. 

In Mokokchung district, the Mokokchung District GBs Association took the lead in enforcing the bandh. It took effect in the district headquarters as well as in the sub-divisional headquarters of Mangkolemba, Changtongya and Tuli. 

A report from Kiphire stated that as directed by the ENPO to enforce “total bandh against the passage of CAB,” the United Sangtam Likhum Pumji supported by the GBs Union Kiphire and United Sangtam Students Conference successfully enforced the bandh within Kiphire district from 6am to 12 noon. 

No major untoward incident was reported from any part of the State with the reports stating that the day passed off peacefully, except an isolated incident in Dimapur.

The incident in Dimapur occurred at NH 29 in the afternoon wherein a person taking advantage of the situation reportedly demanded money from a vehicle. As per a report, the unidentified man allowed the vehicle to pass only after taking an unspecified amount of money. The incident was reported to bandh volunteers, who later confronted him. The report added that no physical violence occured in the incident. 

'A resounding success,' coordination Committee
The Cordination Committee (CC) for CAB and Naga Political Solution formed under the aegis of the NGBF described the day’s shutdown as a “resounding success.” 

 “The spontaneous participation by the general public of Nagaland itself speak volumes of the two burning issues at hand which is close to the heart of the people,” the Committee’s media cell stated in a press release.

Terming the CAB as a “form of internal aggression against the indigenous people of North East India,” it added that the “central political leaders should take heed to the voice of the citizens of Nagaland on early Naga political settlement and our fierce opposition against CAB.”

While opposing the CAB, it asserted that it will leave no stone unturned to see that “the Naga political solution reaches its timely logical end.”

It further stated that it supports the Joint Committee on Prevention of Illegal Immigrants (JCPI) “deadline to the Abhishek Singh Committee” for submission of final report making Dimapur an ILP zone. 

While warning of “democratic agitations,” it appealed the citizens of Nagaland “to be prepared for further course of action on times such as these.” 

People’s response to bandh call encouraging: NTC
The Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC), in a press release, stated that it felt “encouraged” witnessing the people’s response to the bandh call given by the Coordination Committee (CC) for CAB and Naga Political Solution.   

While maintaining that it was left to every individual’s choice, it said that the success of the bandh was a result of the spontaneous response of the people. 

“The cohesion so exhibited today has given sense of security that we still possess the potentiality to synchronise our acts together for common good,” it said, while adding that it is a clear sign that the people are behind the issues raised in the public domain.

With regard to the political talks between Government of India and the Naga Political Groups, the NTC said that the Nagas are passing through a very critical phase at present. It however expressed disappointment observing the “evasiveness of the Nagas in matters of common interest.”

“It is also pertinent to introspect on how our individual and cluster egos had taken better of our common approaches and perspectives whereby common interests are bottlenecked.”