Mixed response to 12-hour Nagaland bandh called by CCNTHCO

The 12-hour Nagaland bandh called by the Core Committee of Nagaland Tribal Hohos and Civil Organisations (CCNTHCO) evoked a mixed response in the north- eastern state today.
The bandh was called to protest the issuance of the official notification for the February 27 Nagaland Assembly polls by the Election Commission (EC), despite a general appeal by the CCNTHCO for a solution to the Naga political problem before the election.
No major incident was reported from anywhere in the state during the bandh, officials said.
DIG (Range) Martin Pienyu said the bandh ended peacefully and that there were no reports of any untoward incident within his jurisdiction.

The bandh affected the normal life in at least three districts, was partially successful in two, while the tribal bodies in six districts had decided not to support it.
In Mokokchung district, the Ao Senden had deployed volunteers, while the Sumi Hoho enforced the bandh in Zunheboto district.

In Phek, the Chakhesang Public Organisation had asked the citizens to remain indoors and observe the day as "Prayer Day for an early solution to the Naga political issue".
In Peren, there were reports of stray incidents of people trying to open shops. They were forced to close the shops by the volunteers of certain tribal groups, but no major incident was reported.

Normal life was affected due to the bandh in Dimapur town, the commercial hub of the state, and adjoining areas.
The bandh had no effect in the Angami-dominated areas, which covered the Chumukedima and Medziphema sub-divisions of Dimapur district because of the Angami Public Organisation's (APO) declaration not to support it.
The apex tribal bodies, including the APO, Eastern Nagaland Public Organisation (ENPO) and Lotha Hoho, did not impose the bandh.
In Kohima, the state capital, everything functioned normally, following the APO's declaration of not supporting the bandh.
The APO had yesterday said no bandh would be allowed in the Angami areas.

There was no effect of the bandh in the ENPO area, covering the four districts of Mon, Tuensang, Kiphire and Longleng, and the Lotha Hoho did not allow the bandh to happen in Wokha district.