No end to Nagaland stalemate

According to Doungel, the protestors said some non-residents of Kohima were involved in the incidents of arson.

Arson at Nagaland's restive commercial hub Dimapur today. (EPS)

GUWAHATI: As Chief Minister TR Zeliang and his ministerial colleagues refused to resign, protestors in Nagaland opposed to 33 per cent women's reservation in civic bodies decided to continue with their statewide bandh even as the last rites of the two persons, killed in Tuesday’s police firing in the commercial hub of Dimapur, was performed on Friday.

After Thursday’s bout of arson in capital Kohima and Dimapur, there was a semblance of normalcy in both towns on Friday. Leaders of the newly-floated Naga Tribes’ Action Committee (NTAC) had a meeting with governor PB Acharya where they reiterated their demand for the resignation of Zeliang and his ministerial colleagues. Acharya was in Arunachal, of which he holds the additional charge, on Thursday when property, belonging to government and the CM, went up in flames.

He was to have left Itanagar at 4 pm by a chopper but for reasons unknown, he stayed back and landed in Kohima on Friday morning. On Thursday, mobs went on a rampage after being conveyed that Acharya would not be able to make it to Kohima before February 6, sources said. Upon his arrival on Friday, Zeliang met Acharya at Raj Bhavan. Director General of Police (DGP), LL Doungel, said there was a debate among protestors and others if they should allow the burial of the bodies. “Then the families of the victims chipped in and prevailed and the burials were performed,” he told Express.

It was learnt that Kohima Village Council played a big role in convincing the protestors. According to Doungel, the protestors said some non-residents of Kohima were involved in the incidents of arson. Opposition Congress slammed the Zeliang government. “The decision of the state Cabinet to completely withhold civic elections is a case of too little too late.

The loss of two lives, huge damage to public property and the constant fear psychosis inflicted on people could have all been avoided had the government listened to the voices of the people,” Pradesh Congress Committee said in a statement. In “man’s world” Nagaland, the male-dominated tribal bodies wield unbridled powers and they are the decision-makers. They do not want to share power with women. They insist that women can contest elections, but there should not be any reservation for them. Nagas are governed by customary laws which do not endorse quota.