Protests against the introduction of seats reserved for women in north-eastern India erupted once more into violence Thursday, with a mob setting fire to a municipal building in the state capital of Nagaland.
Nagaland remained tense last night after 15,000 people ran riot in Kohima, where protesters, mostly tribals and representatives from the local bodies, have opposed local government moves to safeguard civic seats for women.
The local government's introduction of a 33 percent reservation for women in upcoming elections for urban local bodies prompted protests that spiralled out of control on Wednesday.
Two people have died in clashes with the police in Kohima, which remained shut down for the second consecutive day. "Today the people initially only gathered for the funeral and condolence meeting of those who had lost their lives, but they soon started protesting," LL Doungel, director general of Nagaland police told AFP.