EMN
Dimapur, March 2
At the backdrop of FIR filed by Ibomcha Singh, MLA of Manipur, Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang today appealed for good neighborly relations between the two states and that different communities live in peace and harmony.
The MLA maintained that the FIR has been filed under Sections 124 (A) and 153 (A) of the Indian Penal Code against Chief Minister TR Zeliang‘s speech at the Lui Ngai Li Festival at Ukhrul, Manipur, on February 14.
At the festival, the chief minister had underlined the need for Nagas to be united and expressed his opinion that emotional and cultural integration should be evolved amongst Nagas living under various administrative set ups, and that once this is achieved, Nagas can help each other for cultural and socio-economic advancement, with or without territorial or political integration. Media Cell, Chief Minister’s Office in a press communiqué said, the issue of integration of contiguous Naga-inhabited areas under one administrative umbrella is as old as Nagaland statehood with the matter being mentioned as one of the points in the 16-point Agreement between the Government of India and the Naga People’s Convention in 1960.
“Nagaland Legislative Assembly had passed resolutions in the House five times supporting or reiterating the wishes of the people of Nagaland for territorial integration of the Naga-inhabited areas, namely, on December 12, 1964, August 28, 1970, September 16, 1994, December 18, 2003 and July 28, 2015. The Chief Minister, Nagaland, had also expressed reservations against Manipur Chief Minister for passing the three controversial bills in Manipur Assembly much against the wishes of the tribal populace of the State who continue to oppose tooth and nail the said Bills with four tribal MLAs even tendering their resignations from the Assembly.”
Considering the fact that chief minister is a mass leader of the Nagas, he has to speak for the Naga people irrespective of administrative or geographical considerations, the press note said. “It is but natural for any chief minister of Nagaland to speak for Nagas when they are protesting on the streets against grievances, perceived or otherwise, whether it is in Manipur, New Delhi or Myanmar. And it is most natural that the chief minister of Nagaland should be concerned when many Naga protestors are killed and hundreds injured, properties damaged and their lives threatened, as was the case in Manipur in the latter part of last year. If a person, be it a chief minister or a mere leader, is not permitted to speak freely in a democratic country such as ours, it is indeed, a sad day for democracy and portends gloom in the days to come for the general public. Or is it that we are permitted only to appreciate the Manipur government for looking after our people, but not allowed speaking up when injustice is being done to our people?”
“And whereas, Sections 124A and 154A of the IPC have to do with attempts to create hatred against the government, and attempts to bring enmity against various groups of people, it may be pointed out here that the very actions of the Government of Manipur in passing the three infamous Bills in the Assembly and the subsequent actions of its law-enforcing agencies in tackling the protestors which led to the death of nine and injuries to scores of people, could very well be brought under the purview of the above-mentioned Sections of the IPC! The ruling dispensation of the day, for reasons known best to itself, had segregated, isolated and alienated a section of the citizens and the resultant enmity and hatred brought about will be very difficult to erase. It would seem political interests of the government of the day have been given preference over communal harmony and peaceful coexistence in the State.”
“The laws of the land will take its own course, but it is the sincere wish and appeal of the Chief Minister Nagaland that good neighborly relations are maintained between the two States and that different communities in both States live in peace and harmony for all ages to come”.
