Mon killings: Cabinet meeting rescheduled as Eastern Nagaland protests

Kohima: A cabinet meeting of the Nagaland government scheduled to be held at 2:30 PM Thursday has been rescheduled as Eastern Nagaland protests against the recent killings in Mon.

The Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) had called for public rally across all tribal headquarters under its jurisdiction on Thursday.

Government spokesperson Mmhonlumo Kikon told EastMojo that the cabinet meeting was called to discuss matters including the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) as its main agenda. He said the next cabinet meeting is rescheduled on December 18, two days ahead of the special Assembly session called to discuss the Act.

The cabinet meeting was postponed in view of the bandh and rally called by the ENPO. There is also a total shutdown in Mon district as the Konyak Union called for a 10-hour bandh. The meeting was rescheduled as cabinet members from the ENPO areas expressed their inability to attend the meeting proposed, he said.

The ENPO had earlier announced its decision to extend non-cooperation to the Indian security forces till its demands are met, and justice delivered to the families of 14 civilians killed on December 4-5.

The apex tribal organization of the Eastern Nagaland tribes demanded that the security forces involved in the gruesome killings should be booked under the relevant laws and brought under the Civil Court for trial.

The ENPO also demanded that the Union Home Minister withdraw his statement made in the Parliament. The minister had said the security forces had fired in self-defence.

The ENPO also demanded that the Government of India revoke the draconian law-AFSPA from the entire Northeastern region.

Bandh over killing of civilians disrupts normal life in five Nagaland districts