NEW DELHI: Protests against the introduction of seats reserved for women in northeastern India erupted once more into violence on 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 civic bodies, have opposed local government moves to safeguard seats for women.

The state 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.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2017