CPO activists rampage houses of 3 candidates

Activists of Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO) vandalized houses of three candidates of Phek Town Council in Phek district of Nagaland, official sources said today.
The houses and other properties, including vehicle of the three candidates, were damaged yesterday by volunteers as they defied the direction of the CPO to withdraw their nominations for the urban local body elections, the sources said.
However, the situation calmed down after police resorted to blank firing to disperse the mob.
Following the incident, Phek District Administration promulgated Section 144 CrPC in Phek town, prohibiting assembly of three or more persons.
Altogether 21 candidates had filed nominations for the 11 wards of Phek Town Council.

But, in compliance to the directive of the CPO, 13 candidates - 3 from NPF, 2 from Congress and 8 Independents - took back their nominations till the last date of withdrawal, which ended yesterday evening.

The CPO also ex-communicated the 8 NPF candidates from Phek, preventing them from Chakhesang region in Phek district for a period of 7 years as per customary law.
With the boycott call and cautioning of candidates contesting the polls by different tribal organisations in the State, 140 out of 535 candidates withdrew the nominations.
Presently, there are 395 candidates from NPF, BJP, Congress and Independents in fray.

Elections to the 26 Municipal and Town Councils in the state will be held on February 1.