# Cities

Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang steps down

Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang on Sunday decided to step down to make way for a consensus candidate to succeed…

SNS | New Delhi | February 19, 2017 1:46 pm

Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang steps down

Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang on Sunday decided to step down to make way for a consensus candidate to succeed him.

Zeliang, in a letter to the ruling Naga People's Front (NPF) said he has decided to step down to break the deadlock between the agitating groups and the government.

The chief minister has called for an emergency meeting of the NPF legislature party at the state banquet hall on Monday which will be followed by a meeting of the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) legislature party at the same venue.

Agitating tribal groups have been demanding Zeliang's resignation over his decision to conduct civic bodies' elections with 33 per cent reservation for women.

More than 50 legislators "signed a letter of support" on Saturday in favour of the state's lone Lok Sabha member, Neiphiu Rio, as the new chief minister, to replace Zeliang.

The 60-member assembly has ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland coalition government comprising of 48 NPF legislators, including suspended legislator Imkong Imchen, four Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and eight Independents.

(With inputs from Agencies)

# Bollywood

Zayed Khan falls in love with Nagaland’s magical Hornbill festival

The Hornbill Festival, held annually in Nagaland, celebrates the state’s rich cultural heritage and tribal diversity through vibrant music, dance, crafts, and cuisine.

# Supplements

Second coming of the Land of Christ in the offing

In 1947, when Angami Zapu Phizo raised the banner of Naga nationhood, it was based on the simple premise that the Nagas were neither under the Assamese nor Manipuri rulers and that the Britishers were the first to rule them, and by that account, when they leave the subcontinent, they should be left alone. Phizo, however, was aware that each Naga village or tribe exists as a republic of their own and that each had a different dialect and that the only visible and practical way to bring them together on a common platform was their faith in Jesus Christ.

# Bengal

Trader arrested from Durgapur in Nagaland cheating case

Nagaland Police arrested a trader, Jishu Prasad from Durgapur in West Burdwan district, in connection with a cheating case involving several lakhs of rupees for supplying TMT bars yesterday.