The unrest grew rapidly after the killings, with people from different parts of Nagaland joining in the protests.

[3] On 27 January, T. R. Zeliang, the then-Chief Minister of Nagaland announced that the elections to the Urban Local Bodies would be held on 1 February.

[4] On 31 January, a large group of protestors gathered at Zeliang's private residence at 3rd Mile, Dimapur.

[3] On 2 February, the situation got worse as mobs set fire to the office building of the Kohima Municipal Council.

The fire spread to the adjoining Transport Authority Office, State Information Commission, Urban Development Department, Railway Reservation Centre and the Kohima Press Club and significantly damaging some private buildings.