Nagaland unrest: Indefinite bandh partially lifted, MLAs reaffirm support to Zeliang's leadership

The indefinite bandh has been partially lifted, Government offices, vehicles and Public emergency services exempted after Violence erupted in the Nagaland capital on Thursday with those opposed to the ongoing elections to urban local bodies (ULB) and bandh was called in the state. While protesters continue to demand the resignation of the cabinet.

In the face of demand for its resignation by various Naga tribal organisations, 42 of the 59 MLAs of the parties comprising the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) reaffirmed their support to the TR Zeliang government.

Out of the 60 members of the state Assembly, ruling DAN consists 48 MLAs of Naga People's Front (NPF), 4 of BJPand 7 Independents. Only one Independent MLA, Thomas Ngullie, was the sole opposition member.

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Of the 42 legislators present at the meeting today to express support for the leadership of Zeliang, 32 were of NPF,3 from BJP and 7 were Independent, officials in the Chief Minister's Office said.

Other MLAs were unable to reach due to bandh enforced by the tribal organisations in parts of Nagaland while some are out of station, the officials said.

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Those a present in the meeting unanimously agreed to stand by the leadership of Zeliang till the tenure of the present government which ends in early 2018.

The Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) representing different tribal organisations has been demanding the resignation of the DAN government following the death of two persons in anti-ULB poll agitation in Dimapur.

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Zeliang had rejected the demand and said the ministry "has undisputed, unquestionable majority and support of the entire Assembly".

At the meeting, the legislators also decided to hold further consultation with various stakeholders and Naga tribal bodies on the present imbroglio over urban local bodies (ULB)polls for an amicable solution and conduct the elections, which has been withheld, at the earliest.

The MLAs observed a minute's silence to condole the death of two persons who died in Dimapur during a clash with police over the anti-ULB election agitation, officials said.

The DAN legislators also appealed to the Naga people to let peace prevail.