Quota protests

metgovernorpbacharyafridayeveningto discuss the situation.

The Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC), spearheading the protests, too met the Governor and submitted a memorandum. Earlier in the day, Zeliang issued a statement saying he was distressed by the “unfortunate turn of events in the last few days”.

Rejecting calls to step down, especially after two protesters were killed in police firing in Dimapur Tuesday, Zeliang appealed to people not to indulge in “senseless vandalismandarson”,remindingthemviolence had no place in a civilized society like that of the Nagas. He also appealed to social media users to be responsible and desist from spreading rumours which would further confuse people.

Speaking to The Indian Express over phone from Kohima, Nagaland DGP L L Doungelsaid:“thesituationisstilltense,but definitely under control. The crowds have dispersed after bodies of the two youth killedinpolicefiringontuesdaywereburied in Kohima this afternoon.”

Theindefinitebandhcalledtoprotestthe holding of municipal and town committee electionswith33percentquotaforwomen, and then to seek the ouster of Zeliang following the death of two youths in Dimapur, continued Friday.

According to the DGP, protesters have blocked the Dimapur-kohima highway at several spots. “We have, however, kept tight vigil in both cities. Curfew is on at select places in Kohima and Dimapur where there is still some possibility of trouble,” he said.

On Thursday evening, angry mobs set ablaze the Kohima municipal council building and adjoining offices, including those of the regional transport authority, excise department, state information commission and a railway passenger reservation service office. The Kohima press club too was destroyed.

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