Kohima:The curfew, in force at Dimapur since Wednesday evening in the wake of violent protests over a recent rape incident, was relaxed from 0700 hrs to 1100 hrs Thursday.
Dimapur Deputy Commi-ssioner Wezope Kenye said curfew was relaxed for a peaceful rally organised by Naga Students Federation (NSF) and Western Sumi Hoho (WSH). Kenye, who is also the District Magis-trate of Dimapur, had promu-lgated prohibitory orders under Section 144Cr.PC with effect from 1900 hours yesterday till further orders.
The order prohibits assembly of five or more than five persons in public places and all business establishments and schools have been ordered closed.
The step was taken in the wake of destruction of properties and movement of large number of public, resulting in law and order problems, Mr Kenye added.
Meanwhile, in view of the situation, where the busi-ness establishment have been targeted, the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DCCI) has asked all shops to remain closed till an emergency meeting in the afternoon at the Chamber. Schools in and around Dimapur have been advised to shutdown in view of the proposed rally and prevailing tension.
Earlier Wednesday, students in hundreds from various educational insti-tutions marched through Dimapur town in protest of the alleged rape of a college girl by a suspected Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrant youth on the intervening nights of February 23.
The protesters marched to the premises of DC Office demanding that the rape accused be awarded capital punishment. The protest led to closure of business establishments, as students traversed through the town shouting slogans that jus-tice for the rape victim and flushing out of illegal Bangl-adeshi immigrants.(UNI)
