DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 1 (MExN): The Nagaland State Cabinet today decided to set up a Judicial Inquiry Commission to inquire into the incidents of January 31 in Dimapur and Longleng, and payment of ex-gratia to the victims.
It also asked the State Election Commission “to withhold the ongoing process of elections to the ULBs and take up with the remaining postponed process of the elections to the ULBs as notified by the SEC on 31.1.2017.” The SEC meanwhile in a separate notification directed that the “ongoing process of elections to the ULBs is withheld in all remaining ULBs and will be taken up as notified on 31/01/2017.”
A press note from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) expressed anguish over the violent events in Dimapur and Longleng and sadness over the death of two persons and injury to other persons.
The CMO meanwhile informed that Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh today called up the Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang and enquired about the law and order situation in the State. The CMO further reported the Union Minister as stating that the “decision taken by the State Government to fulfil the constitutional obligation of holding elections to the civic bodies was not wrong at all, and advised him to patiently convince the people of the State to accept the reality.” Nagaland Governor, PB Acharya also called up the CM and called for adequate security measures to maintain normalcy.
CM expresses anguish
Nagaland Chief Minister, TR Zeliang expressed anguish at the events in Dimapur and Longleng and said: “As a father myself, I understand the immense grief and sorrow the parents and family members of the deceased Khriesavizo and Bendangnungsang must be going through at this moment and I sincerely sympathise with them. It is most lamentable that two precious lives have been lost in such an unfortunate incident last night.” He conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed to the Almighty to let the departed souls rest in eternal peace.
State Election Commission Notification
In continuation of Commission Notification of even number, dated 31/01/2017, taking cognizance of the abnormal situation prevailing in the State and as desired by the State Cabinet communicated vide letter NO. MA-65/2016, dated 01/02/2017, the Commission directs that the ongoing process of elections to ULBs is withheld in all remaining ULBs and will be taken up as notified on 31/01/2017. This is issued in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 30 of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001, read with Rule 20 (7) of the Nagaland Municipal Election Rules, 2003. Sentiyanger Imchen State Election Commissioner
