Kohima, Feb 2: Violence continued in Nagaland on Wednesday with protesters ransacking the office of the election commission in Mokokchung district and the district office of the ruling Naga People's Front prompted by the State Government's decision to hold Urban local body elections.  

In the meantime, Nagaland Chief Electoral Officer Sentiyanger Imchen issued a notification stating the local body election, which was to be held in 12 towns across the state will be postponed until the violent protests are brought under control and peace prevails again in the state. The same was expressed by the State Cabinet as well. 

The tribal bodies have been opposing the Naga People's Front government's decision to hold the elections with 33 per cent women reservation, stating it infringes on the special rights for Nagaland guaranteed by Article 371 (A) of the constitution. The opposing crowds went on to ransack administrative offices in the Mokokchung district in Western Nagaland. 
 
"They ransacked the district election branch office and NPF office. We are still trying to gather more details on the incident. The situation is still very tense but we are trying our best to ensure that there is no further break down of law and order situation in the region", Nagaland police chief, L.L. Doungel stated while addressing the media. 
 
As a precautionary measure all internet and mobile data services have been shut down in the state to avoid spreading of rumours through social media. Already on Tuesday night, two persons were killed and three injured in the state following clashes between the police and the public at Dimapur, the commercial hub of Nagaland.
 
Hundreds of people armed with spears and machetes took to the streets in protest on Tuesday night. Many of them marched to the private residence of Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang. "The police resorted to firing to disperse the agitating crowd after the protesters attempted to storm the Chief Minister's residence," Doungel said.
 
There were also reports of seven people sustaining injuries when the police fired on them to prevent the demonstrators from entering the office of the District Magistrate Longleng. Meanwhile, the Nagaland Cabinet on Wednesday decided to institute a judicial inquiry into the incidents leading to the death of, and injury to, persons at Dimapur and Longleng districts and payment of ex-gratia to the victims.
 
The Cabinet also expressed deep concern and anguish over the violent events in Dimapur and Longleng and sadness over the death of two persons and injury to other persons and decided to convey condolences to the bereaved families, an official communique stated.
 
The state government had on Monday signed a deal with the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) — an umbrella organisation of tribal bodies opposed to holding the electionns to postpone the polling by two months.
 
However, the Guwahati High Court on Tuesday directed the state government to constitute the municipalities and town councils in Nagaland with 33 per cent reservation of seats for women. The court also directed the Nagaland government to provide security to the candidates and voters.