AYO modifies riders for Kohima closure
Mokokchung, Jan. 8: The Ao Senden has called for a total bandh on Monday, January 9, in Mokokchung town to protest against the decision of the government of Nagaland to extend the deadline for fielding nominations to the Nagaland municipal and town council elections.
The total bandh will be enforced from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM in Mokokchung town.
The organisation issued a press release on Sunday informing that the bandh was called as an ‘expression of extreme displeasure’ against the state government for showing total disregard to the ‘sentiment of the people’ by extending the deadline for the filing of nominations to said elections.
The Ao Senden’s Acting President C Angang Jamir and Acting Secretary Tally Lkr appended the press release.
Total restriction on movement of vehicles and public will be enforced during the bandh, it was informed. However, the police, paramilitary, medical, and magistrates on duty, the media, and other emergency services will be exempted from the purview of the protest, the organisation informed.
Further, the Ao Senden requested the people to cooperate and support the bandh. They expressed ‘regret for any inconveniences’ that may occur during the protest.
The Ao Senden considered the extension of filing of nominations as a ‘direct insult’ besides the state government going all the way to even ‘infringe upon the Christian ethics not sparing Sabbath day.’
While expressing resentment at the state government’s decision to extend the period of fielding nominations to until January 9 by the State Election Commission, the Ao Senden viewed the matter to be a ‘direct insult’ and ‘disrespect’ to the people.
The organisation accused the government of ‘hurting the sentiments of the people’ especially that the date touched Sunday, a sacred day for Christians. The state government has gone all the way to even infringe upon the Christian ethics by not sparing our “Sabbath day,” the Ao Senden remarked.
The organisation has accused the state of sinister designs in taking the decision.
Such arbitrary action by the Nagaland government is deemed diabolical as the decision for extension was made only in the interest of few vested individuals who wanted to file their nominations, the Ao Senden stated.
Modification to AYO bandh in capital
The Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) has made some changes to the events around the bandh that the organisation called on January 9 in Kohima town.
The AYO issued a press release on Sunday informing about the change.
In Kohima town, a ‘partial bandh’ has been announced exclusively for the following areas in the “bandh zone point 1”: TCP Gate to North PS junction including D Block area.
Also, pedestrian and vehicular movements will not be allowed within the periphery of the main town areas.
“All shops within the restricted area are to remain closed, however pharmacies and eateries (bakeries and rice hotel) are directed to remain open. Pharmacies and eateries failing to remain open tomorrow will invite action,” the AYO stated.
All educational institutions as well as students attending classes and examinations are exempted from the purview of the bandh.
Also, the Angami Organisation has appealed to the Assam Rifles to “kindly minimize vehicular movement going in or out from their camp which falls within the restricted zone.”
The AYO has appealed to all the communities and “right thinking citizens” to participate and show solidarity “in the interest of the Nagas.”
The AYO’s President Neinguvoto Krose, and Vice President Peter Rutsa appended the press release.
AYO has been picketing the office of the Deputy Commissioner Kohima since the nomination period was opened on January 3, responding to the call of the Angami Public Organisation (APO), who is staunchly opposing the holding of elections to urban local bodies with 33% reservation of seats for women in its present form.
It was learnt that the Chief Minister TR Zeliang held a meeting with APO officials this morning to discuss the issue. However, the meeting reportedly ended inconclusively and the stalemate between the organisation and the state government continues.
Sources also said some elders of the Angami community met the Chief Minister on Sunday appealing against further provocation and confrontations, and for the state government, APO and women representatives to create space for further dialogue on the matter.
After the APO came out strongly against the implementation of 33% women reservation to urban local bodies and the AYO took to picketing the DC office to prevent intending candidates from filing their nominations to the civic polls for Kohima Municipal Council (KMC), there has been nil nomination recorded so far for the KMC despite the NPF party issuing tickets to 19 candidates.
While calls to BJP officials went unanswered, Congress leader and NPCC general secretary Medokul Sophie said the NPCC was ready with its candidates but they held back from issuing party tickets as they did not want to go against the wishes of the people.
He also said the party has conveyed its view at the all-party meeting convened by the Chief Minister that it was rather late to appeal to the tribal bodies, instead they should reach out to the people and discuss the issue, come to a consensus, then conduct the elections.
Some women candidates tried to file their nominations to the Tuensang town council elections yesterday, January 7, but were made to withdraw by the Chang Khulie Setsang and the Tuensang Village Council.
The Chang Khulie Setsang and the Tuensang Village Council have decided to impose a bandh from 6pm tonight to 6pm, Monday evening. Public movements will be relaxed, only business establishments and offices will remain closed, information available on Sunday said.
Also, unconfirmed sources said that the office of Returning Officer was to be shifted temporarily to the 3rd NAP headquarter for which the tribal and village bodies had imposed the bandh.
