Nagaland shuts down in protest against activities of militant outfits

For long, the people of Nagaland have been facing harassment at the hands of several militant outfits.

Recently, the Naga students' federation called a 12-hour strike to condemn their activities.

The streets of Nagaland bore a deserted look on July 1 as the state observed a 12-hour shut down called by the Naga Students Federation. The apex students' body was protesting against the inter-factional clashes and repeated harassment of civilians by Naga militant groups.

Vehicles were off the road and educational and government institutions remained closed. Markets and business establishments also downed their shutters.

"We want to give the underground factions a message that we want peace and we want to say them that no armed cadre should be in the civilian area. We request them that no more bloodshed or killing should take place in the civilian areas," said Naga Students Federation Vice President Joseph.

The shutdown was called after a recent attempt on life of a member of NSF by an underground outfit on June 25. It was supported by apex tribal bodies from all Naga inhabited areas in other northeastern

states, including Manipur and Assam.

"In the name of nationalism, the civilians are being harassed and they are not even secure in their homeland. That is why we want to send this message. NSF always stands for the justice and peace of the

Nagas," said Finance Secretary Shikavi.

The people of Nagaland are tired of the threat to civilian lives as well as the imposition of illegal taxes by various underground outfits. They want peace and normalcy in the region.