ULB polls Naga civil societies and tribal organisations call bandh

Even as the Nagaland government has decided to go ahead with polling for 12 Urban Local Bodies(ULBs) on February 1, various Naga civil societies and tribal organisations have called for a bandh with different timings from morning till evening.

The bandh has been called so that people cannot participate in the polling to be held from 7 AM to 3:30 PM.

These organisations have been opposing the state government's decision to hold the ULB elections with 33 percent women reservation, stating that it infringes on the special rights for Nagaland guaranteed by Article 371(A) of the Constitution.

In Kohima, Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) Neinguvotuo Krose said they are calling a bandh from 8 AM to 3 PM as the government wanted to fool the people with its divide and rule policy.

He said restrictions would be imposed on the functioning of government offices and movement of people's representative slike MLAs and other politicians.

All private activities, hospitals, business, educational institutions and pedestrians are exempted from the purview of the bandh, Krose said.

In Phek district, Chakhesang Youth Front called the bandh in Chakhesang region for 12 hours from 6 AM. In Tuensang, various organisations, have called for a12-hour total shut from 6 AM.

Chakhroma Public Organisation said it has called the bandh from 6 AM to 5 PM in the area from Piphema to Assam-Nagaland border on the National Highway and all adjoining routes.

The organisation said that the government would be responsible in the event of any untoward incident.