Nagaland political crisis: Cars set ablaze, anti-Zeliang posters found outside supporting MLAs' hotel

Kohima: The ongoing leadership crisis within the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) turned violent Sunday evening as two cars were torched and threatening posters found outside the hotel where dissident MLAs are staying. Unidentified people set fire to the cars destroying one and damaging the other near the hotel where 36 NPF MLAs and seven independent MLAs supporting former chief minister TR Zeliang are camped. [caption id=“attachment_3521099” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. AFP[/caption] Police said they went to the spot at around 7.30 pm on receiving information about vehicles burning near the hotel. Though there was no concrete evidence of who the culprits are, some handwritten posters were found near the burnt cars threatening Zeliang and his supporters. The posters demanded that Zeliang and his followers leave the area which falls within Northern Angami-I Assembly constituency. Chief Minister Dr Liezietsu is seeking election to the Assembly from that constituency in the 29 July by-poll, which is mandatory within six months of assuming power. The said hotel, run by the son of Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio, is also situated within Northern Angami-I Assembly seat. Police said a case has been registered and probe is in progress to nab the culprits. Zeliang claimed that he has the support of 37 NPF MLAs and seven independent legislators in the 60-member House and staked claim to form government. Earlier this year, Zeliang had to vacate the chief minister’s post following protests against the 33 percent reservation for women in the election to the urban local bodies.