KOHIMA: With the upcoming assembly elections less than a month away, the members of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland have been restricted from carrying any weapons. The Cease Fire Supervisory Board has issued this prohibitory order in the state.
T Mere, the staff officer for the Chairman of the Cease Fire Monitoring Group and the Cease Fire Supervisory Board mentioned that this step has been taken with the elections for the Nagaland Assembly in mind. The Election Commission of India had earlier announced the polls for the Nagaland state assembly will be held on February 27.
T Mere mentioned that the state government of Nagaland and the various district authorities had already issued instructions regarding the carrying of weapons during the election period to ensure a peaceful electoral process and it is necessary for all members of all the factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland to follow in order to avoid any possible conflict.
To the same end, he directed the cadres that the carrying of any weapon or firearm of any kind remains banned for a month-long election period in the state. The ban comes into effect from Wednesday, February 1. Citing security reasons, the ending date of this ban will be declared after the counting of the votes is completed on March 2. The last date for filing nominations in the state is February 7.
This ban will apply to all members of the outfit including the holders of the special ceasefire identity cards and the staff officer appealed for strict compliance with the rules issued by the authorities for the election time.
The state polls are happening amidst the demands for a separate Frontier Nagaland state by the Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organisation citing neglect by their counterparts on the western side of the state. They had initially threatened to boycott these elections if their demands are not met, following which a delegation comprising senior government officials visited the state to take stock of the situation.
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