Dimapur, Jan. 28: Swift political developments at the state capital Kohima headlined the response to the state-wide bandh called by the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) – formed by apex Naga tribe hohos to oppose the conduct of elections to urban local bodies with 33% reservation for women – on Saturday.
Even as youth volunteers across the state enforced the shutdown in their respective towns on Saturday, the state government and the Joint Action Committee on Women Reservation engaged in rapid communication that resulted in the latter dispatching a press statement announcing its decision to withdraw the Special Leave Petition it had filed at the Supreme Court. “The petitioners will leave for Delhi for necessary legal preparation to withdraw the SLP, before the elections,” the JACWR press release stated. This decision was in reciprocation to a CMO letter to the JACWR in which it was informed that the state cabinet had decided to go ahead with the scheduled ULB elections as desired by the JACWR.
After announcing its decision to withdraw the appeal at Supreme Court, the JACWR also appealed the state government to ‘consider an early second phase of polls for those towns and candidates who were unable to file or had to withdraw their nominations.’
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Bandh enforcers resorted to burning tyres outside the office of the DC, Dimapur.[/caption]
In Dimapur, the 6 am to 6 pm shutdown imposed by the JCC passed off without any major untoward incidents. Thousands of youth stood vigil in at least 10 locations across Dimapur – Dimapur Government College, DC Court Junction, DC Court, Dhobinullah junction, Clock Tower Junction, Deluxe Point, Hotel Tragopan junction, Nagarjan junction, Burma Camp junction and Purana Bazaar junction – to impose the bandh.
At Dimapur Government College, the volunteers prevented polling officers from attending an orientation programme related to the ULB elections. Also, outside the deputy commissioner’s office, the volunteers did not allow employs to enter the office. They also burned tyres and discarded furniture, on the road. While the volunteers consist mostly of men, few women also turned up at some of the locations.
Kohima
Our Correspondent
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Streets wear deserted looks at Kohima[/caption]
Kohima, Jan. 28: In Kohima, the bandh enforced by Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) from 9 am till 4 pm on Saturday was peaceful. Police and AR personnel were seen patrolling in some parts of the town on alert in case of any provocative actions during the bandh, however, no untoward incidents were reported.
The AYO, along with other tribal bodies, observed bandh in the state capital and Dimapur under the directive of the APO against the persistent stance of the government of Nagaland to hold the ULB elections despite stiff opposition from apex tribal organisations.
The organisation issued a press release this evening informing that there will be no further bandh under Kohima Municipal Council, Medziphema Town council and Chümukedima Town Council areas till further notice. However, it did not rule out that bandh call and other forms of agitation in Medziphema Town Council and Chümukedima Town Council areas under Dimapur district could be necessitated again “depending upon the developments under DMC and East Dimapur Town Council”.
AYO has assured not just its moral support but also physical assistance to supplement and assist “any fellow Naga tribe” in any district if called upon.
Meanwhile, the youth organisation expressed its gratitude to all the citizens and tribes residing in Kohima town and Dimapur for extending their co-operation, solidarity as well as manpower, monetary and material assistance to make its bandh call a success.
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: Overwhelming response from the general public was depicted during the dawn to dusk bandh called by Ao Senden on Saturday while sharing solidarity with the rest of the Nagas to protest the state government’s decision to hold elections to municipal and town councils on February 1.
The bandh, called from 8 am to 4 pm, affected business transaction and vehicular movement even as the town wore a deserted look. Hundreds of volunteers from All Ward Union Mokokchung Town, AKM, OKM, MTLT and Town Likapur (landowners) stood vigil at strategic locations around Mokokchung town round the clock. The volunteers also stood vigil at bordering location of the district during the day-long bandh.
Sources informed that volunteers stood vigil at Tsutapela check gate and Watiyongpang Nagaland Gate to enforce the bandh. Partial Bandh was also observed at Tzudikong, a bordering town with Assam.
After a successfully and peaceful bandh, the Acting President of Ao Senden, C Angang Jamir addressed the volunteers at Town Square (Police Point). He asserted that the state-wide bandh called by the JCC was not an agitation but a movement to protect the right of the Nagas.
He also added the Ao Senden still stands resolute on its decision to oppose the Nagaland Municipal and Town Council Act with a view to protect the identity, of not only the Ao community, but of all the Naga people.
Howeve at Tuli town, the bandh was not enforced, according to ADC Tuli Sentiwapang Aier. At Tuli few candidates have yet to withdraw their candidatures for Tuli Town Council.
Ao Senden has also informed that the bandh will continue from Tuesday, (January 31) starting from 9 am till 3 pm. Military, medical and media personnel will be exempt from the purview of the bandh, while those on emergency duty have been asked to inform the Senden office in writing.
In response to the call for bandh made by the JCC, a total shutdown was observed at Kiphire town successfully. No untoward incidents were reported.
Also, all the 18 intending candidates to Kiphire Town Council have forfeited their candidatures. They have signed an agreement on Saturday stating not to contest the elections. The letter has been submitted to the Returning Officer and ADC Kiphire.
In Wokha, total shutdown was observed from 11 am till 1 pm on Saturday. It was informed that an indefinite bandh will commence from January 31 next. The Lotha Hoho also held a general meeting on Saturday during which it reaffirmed its January 8 resolution to boycott the ULB elections.
After the meeting a car rally was held at Wokha local ground in which more than 200 cars participated. The rally, covering till Longsa town, was held in order to inform the public not to cooperate with the ULB elections, and rather oppose it.
