Defamation U-turn: NTPRADAO founders admit targeting Bill Lotha

DIMAPUR — In a dramatic turnaround, ‘founding members’ of Nagaland Transparency, Public Rights Advocacy and Direct Action Organisation (NTPRADAO) have publicly admitted to making “false, defamatory and malicious” allegations against former Lok Sabha candidate Hayithung Bill Lotha, while claiming that they were instigated by high-ranking officials whose identities ‘will be revealed in court.’

In a statement issued on Friday, the group acknowledged their involvement in circulating defamatory content against Lotha through press statements dated December 17, 2024, and a live press conference aired on December 23, 2024 via a YouTube news channel. 

They admitted the allegations—linking Lotha to forgery and conspiracy in connection with the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) issue—were “baseless” and made without evidence.

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The members—Phemching Konyak (President), Zuchamo Patton (Vice President), Ikato Zhimomi (Secretary General), Keduta Chakesang (General Secretary), Albert Kire (Secretary), and Temjen Mar (Secretary)—stated that their actions caused “irreparable damage” to Lotha’s reputation, dignity and public image.

They further claimed that the defamatory campaign was carried out under the influence of a “certain Minister”, senior officials, and a departmental engineer, alleging a larger conspiracy behind the episode.

The group sated that it possesses “concrete proof” and intends to expose those responsible during upcoming court proceedings.

Meanwhile, Lotha has filed both civil and criminal defamation cases against the members before the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Dimapur, invoking provisions under Sections 356 (1), 356 (2), and 356 (3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), read with Section 61 (2).

The NTPRADAO members also clarified that Lotha was neither a member nor an office bearer of the organisation, contradicting their earlier claims.