The political crisis in Nagaland refuses to abate with protesters handing Chief Minister TR Zeliang a three-day ultimatum to resign from his post.
A resolution adopted by the Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) says, "Zeliang should step down on moral grounds within the period of three days with effect from 8 February, 2017."
Agitated tribal activists continued their protest demanding resignation of the CM over irregularities and the death of two students in police firing outside his residence on Januaryu 31.
The protest has gained such vehemence that the state secretariat has remained closed since last Saturday.
"With the police deciding to avoid any confrontation with protesters, the state secretariat in Kohima remained locked even on Monday. The Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) has locked the state secretariat since Saturday. Neither the chief minister nor his council of ministers could come out of their homes as the protesters laid siege and kept a close watch on their movements," The Asian Age reported.
Another report by the Nagaland Post stated that even Governor Padmanabha Acharya’s offer to broker peace between the tribal groups and the chief minister failed.
"In a letter addressed to the governor, NTAC convenor KT Vilie and JCC convenor Supu Jamir have stated that since he (governor) was aware that their demand was non-negotiable, the only solution to the ongoing crisis is when Zeliang steps down from the office of the chief minister."
Zeliang is accused of all kind of irregularities and trouble in Nagaland.
"The chief minister is responsible for all the trouble. He is responsible for the death of two youths in police firing outside his residence in Dimapur on 31 January. He is also responsible for the mob fury that led to the burning down of so many government offices in Kohima on 3 February, so he must step down," the Asian Age report said quoting the resolution.
Sources in Nagaland say that the tribal bodies are also attempting to compel the Zeliang government to resign by rendering his government defunct.
Notably, the chief minister is also facing heat within his government as tribal bodies have demanded MLAs from their communities to withdraw support to him.
Even as the protest against Zeliang gains momentum in Nagaland, his party too has started contemplating on alternative chief ministerial candidates, said sources. According to The Asian Age, NPF chief Shürhozelie is said to be backing former minister Azo Neinu, while Home Minister Y Patton is believed to be floating the name of Public Health Engineering Department Minister Tekheho Yepthomi to take charge.
It is being speculated that Zeliang will finally join hands with the BJP to evade the imbroglio. The national party rescued the Zeliang government in 2015 by continuing with its support, when a large chunk of his MLAs turned dissidents.
