NPF court battle ensues, restrains Rio temporarily

Tussle looks poised to reach the doors of ECI
Em Bureau
Dimapur August 14 (EMN): The current tussle between the two groups of the NPF party witnessed another new development today when a local court passed an interim order restraining the defendant Neiphiu Rio from using the name of NPF, symbol, and from opening any new office using the name of NPF till the returnable date.
The civil suit was filed by L Yanlong, President of the NPF Mon Division had filed a civil suit in the court of the Civil Judge (Senior) Division at Mon submitting that the defendant Neiphiu Rio has been appointed as the “Interim President” of the NPF on July 31, 2017, by a group of expelled and suspended legislators of NPF and had opened an office at Kohima, using the name of NPF and its symbol and flags.
The plaintiff’s contention was that there is no post by the name and style of “Interim President” as per the Constitution of the NPF and that any official post of the party will have to be appointed by the General Convention.
The learned Civil Judge having satisfied that the plaintiff had made out a case for grant of interim injunction accordingly passed the restraining order till the next returnable date which has been scheduled for September 27, 2017.
Neiphiu Rio was earlier elected as the interim president by the majority of the Legislature party who are presently at loggerheads with the group led by former chief minister Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu all within the NPF party.
At that point of time he was no longer under suspension which was revoked earlier and it was only after his acceptance of post the of the interim president that he was suspended again from the party.
Today’s development indicates another battle that will reach the doors of the ECI where the ownership of the party between the two groups will be decided.
The legislators of Kohima District had earlier alluded to such a remedy mentioning that the issue cannot be settled in the state and that it will be resolved by the ECI.
Another option is for the Central Executive Council of the party to intervene for either a truce or a final settlement favouring one of the contenders instead of taking the ECI route.
The CEC of the NPF with its bulky membership has the power to decide the time and venue for a General Convention.