The violence that erupted yesterday in far flung districts of Nagaland spread to capital Kohima today with protesters setting on fire government buildings and vehicles, prompting the Centre to send central forces.
Yesterday, two people were killed in Dimapur after people protesting against the women reservation in local bodies elections clashed with the police.
The clashes began following the goverment's decision to hold ULB elections despite opposition by tribal bodies.
These organisations have been opposing the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) elections with 33 per cent reservation for women, stating that it infringes on the special rights for Nagaland guaranteed by Article 371(A) of the Constitution.
Today, over a thousand Naga tribals gathered in Kohima to protest against Chief Minister TR Zeliang's refusal to meet their ultimatum of resignation by 4 pm.
Later, mobs went on a rampage and set on fire the Kohima Municipal Council office, the office of the district collector and parked government vehicles.
The Central paramilitary forces have been deployed at the New Secretariat building.
Yesterday, two persons were killed in Dimapur and at least three were injured as a crowd gathered near the private residence of Zeliang and the police tried to stop them last night.
In interior Longleng, seven were injured after police opened fire in order to prevent a mob from entering the office of the deputy commissioner in the evening, officials said.
However, despite the boycott call by the tribal organisations, polling for nine Town Councils were held without any disturbance, the officials said.
But later on Wednesday night, the Nagaland government decided to withhold the election process following clashes yesterday.
“Keeping in view the sentiments of people, and the prevailing situation, the state cabinet decided to ask the State Election Commission (SEC) to withhold the ongoing process of elections to the ULBs,” an official release had said.
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