Government buildings being set ablaze in Kohima on February 2.
Violence in Kohima as govt property set ablaze
Morung Express News
Kohima | February 2
Violence erupted in the Nagaland State capital, Kohima today as a large number of people took to destroying several government offices and vehicles.
Since the January 31 violence in Dimapur, which claimed the lives of two people in a police firing, tribe Hohos and civil society organisations have been demanding for the resignation of the Nagaland Chief Minister and his cabinet, cancellation of the ULB polls and suspension of the Dimapur Commissioner of Police and the personnel responsible for the firing.
NTAC formed, submits memorandum to Governor
Before things went out of control, a new committee called the Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) was formed on Thursday morning. The committee submitted a memorandum to the Commissioner and Secretary to the Governor, as the Governor was out of station. The memo served an ultimatum to the CM and his cabinet to resign by 4:00pm, and reiterated demands for the ULB election process to be declared null and void and suspension of the concerned police officials and personnel.
The state government responded in the evening by declaring the ULB poll process “null and void,” and informing that the State Cabinet has decided to “immediately transfer” the Dimapur Commissioner of Police and DCP Zone (1), Dimapur, in order to facilitate an impartial inquiry. This was stated in a letter by the Nagaland CM to the Angami Youth Organisation.
KMC, RTO and adjoining offices burnt down
Not satisfied with the government’s response, the protestors ran amok by setting ablaze government property and vehicles. In the ensuing violence, the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) and the Regional Transport Office were burnt down. Adjoining offices including those of the SSA, NNP+, SIB, Nagaland Legal Service Authority and the Kohima Press Club were also completely burnt down.
It was reported that the Excise Office was also ransacked, with some protestors consuming the seized liquor in the office.
Neither the police nor the fire brigade were present when the buildings were set ablaze. By late evening, it was reported that the protestors headed towards the Police Head Quarter area, where police fired tear gas and protestors hurled projectiles.
DGP Nagaland, LL Doungel (IPS) informed that that an attack on the NPF Kohima office, which is located near the PHQ, was attempted but was partially thwarted by the police.
“The situation is totally volatile. The mobs are on rampage. We are making all attempts to bring the situation under control,” the DGP was quoted as stating by the IANS. It was also reported that personnel of the Assam Rifles have been deployed to assist police in tackling the situation.
144 CrPC imposed in parts of Khm
The police remained engaged with the protestors till late into the night as the former was being pelted with stones while trying to protect public infrastructure. At 9:30pm, the district administration clamped section 144 of CrPC at Jail Colony, Old Minister’s Hill Area, PHQ area and Raj Bhavan Area.
The bodies of the two people killed in the Dimapur police firing are still being kept at the MLA Junction, with protestors adamant that they will not be buried till the NTAC demands are fulfilled.
