2017 Nagaland protests

The 2017 Nagaland protests were a series of protests and civil unrest in the northeastern Indian state of Nagaland that began on 27 January 2017 following the announcement of the 33% women reservation in the Civic Elections by the Government of Nagaland with violence beginning on the night of 31 January after the killings of two protestors by security forces. The civil unrest began in Dimapur, and later spread to various districts of Nagaland. The unrest grew rapidly after the killings, with people from different parts of Nagaland joining in the protests.[1][2]

2017 Nagaland protests
DateJanuary – February 2017
Location
Nagaland
Caused by
  • Announcement of 33% women reservation to be implemented in Civic Elections
  • Killings of two of the protesters, fueling anger and calls for revenge in different districts
Goals
  • Revoking of the 33% women reservation in Civic Elections
  • Overthrow of the T. R. Zeliang Ministry
  • Suspension of policemen responsible for the deaths of protestors
MethodsProtests, demonstrations, riots, roadblocks, barricades
Resulted in
  • Civic Elections postponed indefinitely
  • T. R. Zeliang resigns as the Chief Minister of Nagaland
  • Police brutality, two protestors killed, dozens injured
Parties

Civilian protesters

  • Civil Organizations of all the ethnic groups of Nagaland
  • Naga Hoho
Lead figures

No centralised leadership

Casualties
Death(s)2
Injuriesdozens

The Naga ethnic organizations believes that granting 33% women reservation is a violation of the right granted to Naga ethnic groups as per the Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution.[3]

Timeline

27 January

On 27 January, T. R. Zeliang, the then-Chief Minister of Nagaland announced that the elections to the Urban Local Bodies would be held on 1 February. The following days, Nagaland went into a shutdown called upon by various Civil Organizations.[4]

31 January

On 31 January, a large group of protestors gathered at Zeliang's private residence at 3rd Mile, Dimapur. A police force tried to stop them around 9:30 p.m. and in the ensuing violence between the police and the mob, two civilian protestors were killed and several others were injured in clash.[5]

In Longleng, seven people were left injured after police fired at protestors in order to prevent the mob from entering the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Longleng.[5]

In response to the protests, the government of Nagaland blocked access to Mobile Internet accessibility, to reduce the protesters' ability to organize.[3]

1 February

On 1 February, thousands of protestors arrived at Kohima along with the coffins of the two dead bodies. The protesters threatened to bury the bodies in front of the homes of the Chief Minister T. R. Zeliang and the ruling Naga People's Front's (NPF) President Shürhozelie Liezietsu if their demands were not fulfilled.[3]

2 February

On 2 February, the situation got worse as mobs set fire to the office building of the Kohima Municipal Council. The fire spread to the adjoining Transport Authority Office, State Information Commission, Urban Development Department, Railway Reservation Centre and the Kohima Press Club and significantly damaging some private buildings. Several government vehicles were also damaged. At 7:00 p.m., indefinite curfew was imposed in the city.[3][6]

Response

The government of Nagaland in response postponed the Civic Elections indefinitely. On 19 February, T. R. Zeliang steps down as the Chief Minister of Nagaland.[7][8]

References
  1. Solomon, Feliz (3 February 2017). "Tribes in India Demand an End to Local Gender Quotas, Sparking Deadly Riots". Time. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  2. "Nagaland protesters demand Chief Minister TR Zeliang's resignation: Latest developments". India Today. 3 February 2017. Archived from the original on 22 June 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  3. Rutsa, Xavier (3 February 2017). "Violence in Nagaland: Protesters attack government offices in Kohima". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 24 December 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  4. "Nagaland shuts down as tribal bodies protest against 33% women quota in civic polls". Hindustan Times. 28 January 2017. Archived from the original on 18 October 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  5. "Two killed, several injured in Nagaland clashes over ULB polls; section 144 imposed". Indian Express. 3 February 2017. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  6. "Nagaland violence: What is the protest all about? All you need to know". Indian Express. 3 February 2017. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  7. "Nagaland CM TR Zeliang resigns amid protests: All you need to know about the unrest". First Post. 20 February 2017. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  8. "TR Zeliang steps down as Nagaland Chief Minister". Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy Pvt. Ltd. 20 February 2017. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
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