Normalcy returned on Saturday to the Nagaland capital with educational institutions, banks, business establishments and shops opening two days after violent mobs went on a rampage here vandalising and setting afire government offices and vehicles.
With business activities kicking off after five days of bandh, long queues were seen at petrol pumps, shops and markets.
Prohibitory orders are still in force in some areas of the capital with state government offices remaining closed on Saturday, and government vehicles also staying off roads. Mobile data and SMS services are not working as well.
On Friday, Nagaland director general of police L L Dougel said the Police, CRPF and Assam Rifles have secured the Raj Bhavan, Chief Minister's official residence and the Civil Secretariat.
A mob went on a rampage on Thursday to vent their anger against the killing of two protesting youths in police action on Tuesday, and their opposition to the ongoing elections to urban local bodies.
Meanwhile, the Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC), representing different tribal organisations, has decided to proceed with the burial of the two bodies on Friday.
On Friday, people from all walks of life participated in a peaceful prayer service in the heart of the state capital for the two protesting youths who were killed in police firing at Dimapur on Tuesday.
The prayer service was conducted by the Kohima Baptist Pastors' Fellowship at the spot, where the bodies have been kept since Wednesday evening.
Neiphiu Rio, the lone Lok Sabha MP from the state and former Chief Minister, attended the prayer service and laid wreaths on the bodies.
"No elected government should go against the wishes and voice of the people," he told PTI, describing the entire episode as "tragic".
He blamed the state government for “misusing” their power against the wishes of the people. Replying to a query whether President’s Rule can be imposed in the state, he said, “It depends on the central government.”
Nagaland Governor PB Acahrya, who also holds the dual charge of Arunachal Pradesh, arrived in Kohima from Itanagar, Raj Bhavan sources said.
The NTAC was still continuing with its demand of seeking the resignation of Chief Minister TR Zeliang and his entire cabinet for going ahead with the ULB polls despite opposition from powerful tribal groups that are against 33 percent reservation for women in the municipal bodies.
They had served an ultimatum to him to resign by 4 pm on Thursday and the protestors went on a rampage after the deadline expired, even as Zeliang had declared the election process to urban local bodies null and void.
The Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioner of Police of Dimapur were transferred to facilitate an impartial inquiry into the firing incident.
Activists of several tribal groups had, on Thursday, vandalised the State Election Commission and Deputy Commissioner's office and set ablaze the Kohima Municipal Council building.
The Regional Transport office and that of the Excise Department were also set ablaze by the mob.
(With inputs from PTI)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)