Bandh held in Kohima, Mokokchung

There was spontaneous response from public in Kohima, Medziphema and Chumukedima to the total bandh called by the Angami Youth Organisation(AYO) Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. to discourage any aspiring candidate in Angami areas under Kohima and Dimapur districts from filing nominations to for election to the Urban Local Bodies(ULBs) scheduled on February 1,2017.
Both Kohima and Medziphema recorded ‘nil’ nomination for the municipal and town council election respectively ; while 14 candidates filed their nominations at the DC office Dimapur for the Chumukedima town council.
Like the Angami Public Organisation(APO) and also Ao Senden all apex tribe organisations had called for boycott of the polls against the NPF-led DAN government’s hasty decision to hold civic polls without addressing serious apprehensions raised by apex tribe organisations pertaining to various aspects of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001.  The handling of the ULB election by the NPF-led DAN government has resulted in a confrontation with all Naga tribes. The pros and cons in ascertaining – lengthy and expensive court battle and apprehensive of losing the case- did not warrant the hasty decision.
The NPF-led DAN government appeared to have plunged headlong in issuing notification for civic polls mainly to get significant fund from the Ministry of Urban Development, once notification for holding civic polls has been issued.
Mokokchung: In Mokokchung, the Ao Senden also called for a ‘lightning bandh’ from 11 a.m.to 5 p.m. which paralysed the town and preventing aspirants form filing their nomination papers.
Immediately after the announcement, shops downed shutters while plying of vehicles and movement of pedestrians were also restricted.
The bandh was to prevent any nomination Municipal and Town Council elections on the last day(Saturday).   In a charged up atmosphere, hundreds of volunteers blocked the road leading to DC office to prevent public or private vehicles from entering.
At the end of the stipulated time 3 p.m. the closure was underway when information was received about extension of the last date to January 9.
Senden reacts: The Senden said that when the people were raising their voices and expressing displeasure against holding of municipal elections in the current format in Nagaland, the decision of the state govt to extend the dateline is considered by the Ao Senden as a “direct insult and disrespect to the people”.
The Senden said extension was done only to enable a few vested interested candidates to file their nomination and going against the sentiments of the community.
 The Senden further cautioned the state government that in case of any eventuality arising out of the extension of nomination, the government itself will be held solely responsible. The Senden has also vowed that it will continue to remain in vigil in front of DC office even on Sunday.