Bandh in Dimapur after government decides to hold council poll

The law and order situation in parts of Nagaland turned volatile with the state government deciding to go ahead with the scheduled February 1 municipal and town council elections in 12 councils, except seven where poll has been postponed.

Following yesterday's agreement between the Joint Coordination Committee and state government, brokered by the Nagaland Baptist Church Council, Naga people had expected that the state Cabinet in its today's meeting would decide to defer the elections throughout the state.

At Dimapur a lightning bandh was called from 6 PM tonight. Thousands of volunteers have gathered at strategic locations threatening to damage government property.
 

The Commissioner of Police, Dimapur, Liremo Lotha, has promulgated 144 CrPC prohibiting assembly of five or more persons, carrying lethal weapons and arms in public places including lathis, dagger, sticks, spears, catapults etc, from Dimapur Town to Chumukedima.

An unconfirmed report said that in Longleng town a mob has gone on a rampage damaging polling stations.