ASTD refuses TR Zeliang's leadership

Staff Reporter Dimapur, July 19 (EMN): Hours after administering the oath of secrecy, the Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur (ASTD), the Ao public organisation in Dimapur, today refused to accept TR Zeliang as the new State chief minister saying he has no moral right to hold the office at this juncture. In a hurriedly convened press briefing this evening, ASTD president Supu Jamir said the organisation, in its emergency meeting today, had unilaterally decided not to accept TR Zeliang as the chief minister. He contested the moral right of TR Zeliang to hold the chief minister’s office when even the Judiciary Inquiry Committee (JIC), which was instituted aftermath of the social upheaval and subsequent death of two youth out of the ULB elections issue, had not submitted its report. “Respecting the sentiment of the Naga people, TR Zeliang should not be the chief minister during DAN-III,” Supu Jamir maintained. He contended how could TR Zeliang hold the chief minister’s office when the graveyards of the two martyrs have not been constructed yet, injured wounds are yet to be cured and ex-gratia not made. ASTD however was not averse to TR Zeliang becoming the chief minister after fresh elections after expiry of the current term. Supu Jamir also expressed displeasure with the Ao legislators who are in favour of TR Zeliang’s leadership. It may be mentioned here that TR Zeliang was forced to step down as the chief minister on the issue of ULB elections early this year.