Violence continues in Nagaland, local body elections put off

Violence continued in Nagaland on Wednesday with protesters ransacking the office of the election commission in Mokokchung district and the district office of the ruling Naga People's Front in the wake of the state government's decision to hold the urban local body elections.

In the meantime, Nagaland Chief Electoral Officer Sentiyanger Imchen issued a notification stating the local body election, which was to be held in 12 towns across the state was "withheld" due to the abnormal situation prevailing across the state and also as desired by the state cabinet.

The tribal bodies have been opposing the Naga People's Front government's decision to hold the elections with 33 per cent women reservation, stating it infringes on the special rights for Nagaland guaranteed by Article 371 (A) of the constitution. Hundreds of protesters ransacked the two offices in Mokokchung district in western Nagaland.

"They ransacked the district election branch office and NPF office. We are still trying to gather more details on the incident," Nagaland police chief, L.L. Doungel told media.