Dimapur, Feb. 1: The state government’s betrayal of the January 30 agreement with JCC – signed in the presence of NBCC members – continues to draw ire even as various Naga organisations issued statements on Wednesday condemning the state government’s action.
Naga Hoho
According to the Naga Hoho, the state cabinet’s decision “taken the other way round” – to violate the January 30 agreement – was very unfortunate and unwise.
“There was ray of hope following the tripartite talk among the state government, JCC and NBCC on 30 January 2017 at Chumukedima, Dimapur, wherein, it was decided to defer the ULB elections for two months, albeit, the state cabinet and the election commission had been endorsed to take final decision on the matter. We extend deepest appreciation to NBCC for the sincere initiatives,” it stated.
It condemned what it stated was “high handedness of Nagaland police over the killing of two innocent youths” on the night of January 31. The state government should take full responsibility, it stated. The Naga Hoho also expressed condolence to the bereaved family.
Ao Senden
The Ao Senden has said that the state government should own moral responsibility for the ugly turn of events in the entire state relating to ULB elections, while stating that it was the government’s “insensitivity and callousness” that caused the ugly turn of events.
“Ao Senden asserts that the loss of precious lives and injuries and the unwanted situation prevailing all over Nagaland, is the ultimate result of the evil designs of the state government. The Ao Senden along with the other tribal bodies has been warning time and again that Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 is against the interest of the Naga people and will never accept the Municipal Act 2001 now or ever.
“The Ao Senden and other tribal bodies have also warned that the state government should be held solely responsible for any kind of consequences if the state government goes ahead with the ULB elections against the wishes of Naga people,” read an Ao Senden statement.
The Ao Senden fails to understand the fact that the state government deceitfully went ahead with the ULB polls in some areas while some people had already given their lives fighting against the conduct of ULB elections, it stated.
“The Ao Senden also strongly condemns the January 31, 2017 incident at Dimapur where two precious lives were lost and many more injured. Ao Senden also condemns the high handedness of the state security forces at Longleng causing threat to innocent lives and injuring many citizens.
“The Ao Senden once again strongly reiterates that the Ao community will never accept the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 in the present format. The Ao Senden has rejected the Act in the past, we are rejecting it today and we will reject it tomorrow unless and until the state government amends the Municipal Act 2001 to the satisfaction of the Naga people.”
CNTC
“A clear act of sacrilege and treachery has been committed by this government just to show its might in their utter disregard even for God,” according to the Central Nagaland Tribes’ Council.
In a press release, the CNTC stated: “While lauding the NBCC for taking a bold step and playing the role of the mediator to break the impasse, the CNTC slams the chief minister of betraying not only the people but even God which signifies their act of selling away God in their lust for power and money. Is there even one single legislator in the present government who can stand up against this act of blasphemy?”
It warned that the chief minister and his cabinet cannot suppress the rights of the Nagas ‘all the time by the use of brute tactics of imposing repressive laws such as 144 CrPc and butchering of Naga civilians’.
It condemned the ‘police action where two Naga youths were shot dead by the police’ while stating that ‘these acts of always shooting down people while trying to quell some public disorder has become the hallmark of the Dimapur Police Commissionerate.’
“The present legislators have been cautioned that it is just a matter of time before they are ousted and hurled into political and social wilderness after some few months never to return. That will be the defining moment the Naga people will see if they can continue to use their brute tactics on the people. If they have care for their children’s future they should understand the people’s stand.”
The CNTC has also directed its apex constituent units to recall their women bodies – Lotha Eloe Hoho, Sumi Totimi Hoho and Watsu Mundang – affiliated in the Naga Mothers Association.
The Nagaland Tribes’ Council has stated that had ‘tact, care and statesman(ship)’ been exercised by the state government in relation to the ULB elections, the lost of two precious lives could have been avoided.
“When so much acrimony was built up between the agitators and the state government, it was anticipated that lest (sic) government cautiously and maturely handles the situation, the end result would obviously be ugly as it is now.
“The immaturity and incapacity of the present government is how it allowed to keep the citizens of Nagaland divided sharply on the issue in question. The NTC condemned the mishandling of the situation whereby the two youth had to face such tragic end.”
It has appealed all concerned to let just and reason precede emotions and exercise restrain so as to avoid further damage beyond what has happened already.
The Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation has condemned the “indiscriminate and random shot-to-kill firing at the first instance without following proper procedural mob control by concerned security personnel” on January 31 at Longleng town, injuring around 7.
One of the injured persons, according to an ENPO press release, was in ‘a serious condition at the hospital in Mokokchung.’ It has also condemned ‘another shooting incident by the security personnel at Dimapur the same night seriously injuring some youths and where two youths succumbed to their injuries.’
“It is to be stated that, the public both at Longleng and Dimapur were protesting against the sudden u-turn taken by the government in regard to the agreement signed between JCC and the government in presence of the highest Church platform in the state i.e. NBCC regarding ULB election in Nagaland.
“The ENPO has stated that, the supreme sacrifices made by the brave hearts should go down in the history of the Nagas and should not go in vain, and further urged all right thinking citizens of the state to condemn such action of high handedness of the security personnel who are supposed to take control of all kinds of situations.”
