State-wide bandh evokes spontaneous response

The state government has rejected outright the appeals by various tribe organisations to defer the elections in order to resolve certain aspects of the Nagaland Municipal Act including 33% women reservation. 

Dimapur:  In Dimapur and nearby areas of Chumumedima, bandh was total and complete with no untoward incident reports. Some over zealous volunteers however harassed media persons despite being exempt from the purview of the bandh .

  The issue was also flagged to the Nagaland Press Association, CNTC and JCC to ensure that no media persons on duty covering their event should be harassed in any manner. Police personnel in anti-riot gear were also stationed in all locations. Vehicular movement remained minimal during the bandh.

The training programme for returning officers scheduled on Saturday at Dimapur Government College was abandoned as a large number of volunteers   occupied the college entrance and prevented entry by erecting barricades. Women volunteers were also seen in most of the places. Passengers travelling by trains and planes were  stranded. Hundreds of train passengers had either remain within or walk with luggage as there were no autos or taxis. 

 Those travelling by bus from Guwahati, Shillong, Mon, Tuensang etc had to get down at New Field Check Gate  and  waited till the bandh was lifted.  There were no reports of confrontation between police personnel and the volunteers.

Medziphema/Chumukedima: Volunteers in Medziphema town said the bandh was peaceful with people’s cooperation. Some food stalls in the vicinity were kept open to cater to the needs of travellers and volunteers.

 The three major gates at Chümoukedima town were also heavily guarded by volunteers from the town and neighbouring villages. A leader of the volunteers said the bandh was being held peacefully and that the public was cooperating by staying indoors. Transport vehicles numbering close to 500 carrying goods and other essential commodities on their way to Kohima and Imphal were stranded all the way from Lahorijan to Khatkhati in neighbouring Assam.

Kohima: Despite nil candidates from the Angami community for the civic body polls under Kohima district, the Angami Public Organization (APO) had responded to the call of other tribe bodies to impose the bandh state-wide on January 28.

The bandh enforced by the Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) along with NAYO, CYO, SAYO and WAYO, in Kohima district was successful with no untoward incidents. Normal life came to a standstill in Kohima as all offices, business houses and schools remained closed.

Further, AYO president Neinguvotuo Krose and general secretary Kekhrie Pfukha, in a press note, informed that there would be no further bandh under Kohima Municipal, Medziphema Town and Chumukedima Town Council areas till further notice.

However, AYO said the bandh would be resumed in Medziphema/Chumukedima areas under Dimapur district depending on the situation in areas under DMC and East Dimapur Town Council. AYO said its volunteers were ready not just morally but physically to assist other fellow Naga tribe in any district if called for.

Mokokchung: The bandh call imposed by the Ao Senden across Mokokchung district from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. passed off peacefully. In Mokokchung town, the streets wore a deserted look with vehicular movement restricted, while shops, offices and institutions remained closed for the day. Volunteers both young and old were stationed at strategic locations across the town. After the bandh ended, the Senden officials held a meeting and resolved to relax the bandh on January 29 being a Sunday. It was also informed that the bandh would be relaxed on Monday, since the Senden officials would be “engaged with very important matters related to the municipal elections”.

Zunheboto: The bandh imposed by Sumi Hoho passed off peacefully with no reports of any untoward incidents. Zunheboto Town Youth Organisation (ZTYO) members along with youths from neighbouring villages maintained vigil in all the strategic locations within the town. Vehicular and pedestrian movements were restricted while all educational institutions, shops and offices remained closed during the bandh from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Meanwhile, the bandh enforcement cell of ZTYO has informed all business establishments to open on Sunday after the devotional service (12 p.m.) to allow citizens to buy essential commodities. ZTYO has further informed that the bandh would resume on Monday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Meanwhile, ZTYO has warned bloggers not to spread false information with regards to the ongoing bandh in Zunheboto.

Speaking to this correspondent, Sumi Hoho general secretary Vihuto Asumi said they will be meeting the intending candidates for Zunheboto Town Council for the last time on Sunday to seek their withdrawal. “Personal and selfish interest should not belittle tribal interests,” Asumi said. 

SH was prepared to face any consequences in the days leading to the date of the polls. He further informed that more volunteers would be called in from areas and ranges falling under Zunheboto district if the situation demanded.

Kiphire: All 18 candidates for the Kiphire Town Council polls have decided to back-out from contesting the February 1 elections. Talking to this Correspondent, ULSP secretary, Chorise Sangtam informed that the candidates on Saturday willingly signed an undertaking not to contest the polls taking note of the appeal made by Naga apex bodies. This was also made known to the Returning Officer in a letter by Kiphire District Joint Coordination Committee (KDJCC) signed by USLP vice president, K. Tsilise Sangtam; TTC president, Topan K and KDGBA president, Sepithong.

Meanwhile, the bandh called at Kiphire under the banner of KDJCC comprising of USLP, Tikhir Tribal Council and Kiphire District GB’s Association was peaceful.

KDJCC said its volunteers would continue to keep strict vigil till February 1, scheduled polling day. KDJCC also acknowledged the decision of all candidates of KTC for their cooperation and sacrifice

Wokha: In Wokha, all commercial activities came to a halt from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., during which the Lotha Hoho along with the Lotha Hoho Joint Action Committee (LHJAC) held a “General Meeting cum Car Rally” at Local ground, Wokha and reaffirmed to stand by the January 8 resolution. 

LHJAC has informed that a total bandh would enforced starting January 31 till February 1 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

According to Lotha Hoho joint secretary Likhao Humtsoe, the meeting was attended by around 2500 people, after which a car rally was carried out from Local Ground to Zero (0) Point and to Longsa village where more than 200 cars participated the rally. The car rally was part of the awareness/publicity campaign to inform all Lothas that the community would not cooperate and oppose the ensuing ULB election.

LH also acknowledged the reassurance made by chairmen of Longsa village and Wokha village to oppose the elections and to ensure that no individual or candidates take part in the election.

The hoho has also directed all the youths of 39 & 40 Assembly Constituency to be present at Bhandari and youths of 37 and 38 A/C at Wokha Town by January 30 to boycott the election.

Phek: The bandh called by Chakhesang Youth Front (CYF) on Saturday in Chakhesang region of Phek district in protest against government stand to go ahead with the ULB election ended peacefully with no untoward incidents. In Phek town, the bandh which began from 9 a.m. till 4 p.m., was total and peaceful. All shops and vehicular movements were restricted, informed CYF president Welete Kapfo

The bandh was also observed at Pfutsero, Chozuba and Chetheba. CYF has thanked all public for their cooperation towards successful implementation of the bandh.