Tense Kohima hopes for early normalcy

Kohima, Feb. 3: A day after mob violence broke out in Kohima, the situation in the State capital remained tense throughout the day today. However, no untoward incident was reported. Thousands of people thronged the Old MLA Hostel Junction where the dead bodies of late Khriesavizo and late Bendangnungsang were being kept and the Kohima Baptist Pastors Fellowship continued its initiative to conduct prayer service at the site even today and kept the atmosphere peaceful throughout the day. The bandh called by the AYO also continued and government offices remained closed and government registered vehicles, other than police and para military, stayed off the road. In the southern part of the town where curfew has been imposed, police and Assam Rifles personnel were seen patrolling the streets, which, otherwise remained deserted. It was reported that altogether, around 25 government vehicles were damaged in the mob violence on Thursday night including 4 buses, and 20 offices were damaged. Some offices such as the Kohima Municipal Council, RTO, State Information Centre, Zonal Council Hall, Kohima Press Club, NNP+, SIPMIU, State Emergency Operations Centre and those housed under the Old Secretariat building were destroyed completely by fire, while the DC office, Commissioner’s office, DRDA and Treasury office (N) were partially vandalised. Bandh on govt. vehicles, offices to continue The Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) has announced that bandh to paralyze the functioning of the government would continue in Kohima municipal area from 9 am to 3 pm. AYO officials informed this evening that government registered vehicles will not be allowed to ply, with the exception of the district administration, police and para military, and government offices will not be allowed to function. Besides the above, normal life will resume, AYO informed. On the confusion among public whether government schools come under the purview of the bandh, officials of the organisation said all educational institutions including private and government schools are to resume normal classes.