Dimapur, Feb. 13: The Naga People’s Front (NPF) has pointed fingers at suspended leaders, Neiphiu Rio and Imkong L Imchen, as the figures behind ‘the whole sequence of events that have taken place during the past 10 days’. An NPF press release on Monday stated that the ‘letter purportedly written’ to NPF chief Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu by NPF legislators, Noke Wangnao, CM Chang, Namri Nchang and Er Kropol Vitsu, has exposed their intention to destabilize and topple the present government.
“In their statement they have specifically stated that if Rio comes back and takes over the affairs of the state the present situation will improve. This implies that it was none other than Rio and Imkong who created the present situation in the state.
“The letter written by the four MLAs reveals that it is Rio and Imkong who orchestrated the whole sequence of events that have taken place during the past 10 days. The NPF wonders as to why and on what basis the four legislators have suddenly woken up from their slumber and had written a letter to the president asking for revocation of their suspension order at this juncture,” it stated.
According to the NPF, “If we read between the lines”, the four legislators were assuring the citizens of Nagaland that the present crisis would be normalized once suspension order of Rio was revoked and re-instated as chief minister of Nagaland. “This is a clear indication that Rio and Imkong are patronizing the agitators for their selfish political interest. Since these four MLAs have openly come out in support of Rio and Imkong, they should also be held responsible for this present situation.
“The NPF is of the considered opinion that Nagas need no more evidence to prove as to who is behind the present crisis as the letter of these four MLAs has proved beyond doubt which doesn’t need to be elaborate as the Nagas are capable of grasping the intention of these people.”
In a separate press release, the NPF stated that it was a “matter of sheer, unadulterated comedy that we now have NGOs and committees” asking where legislators should be at a given time; questioning why the chief minister should or should not go to Delhi, when called to meet the union home minister.
“When we have non-governmental players taking upon themselves such cumbersome responsibilities, it should come as no surprise to anyone if they have the delusion to think that they have the authority to call for any chief minister to resign on moral or immoral grounds,” it stated.
It also hit out at KT Vilie, convenor of NTAC, suggesting that he would ‘dearly’ want the legislators to be in their constituencies “where adequate security cover cannot be extended to each and every one of them thereby making them easy prey for those elements which have more than mischief on their minds.” It also stated that Vilie ‘was the official PS to former chief minister’.
“If KT Vilie were to have his way, the MLAs should not flock together at Kohima to show their solidarity with and support for the present leadership, but would be better off if they are confined at Sovima or Niathu Resort!” it stated.
the NPF also claimed that ‘rumours were spread wilfully’ that one of the MPs from the state was called to New Delhi to ‘discuss formalities as to how he should take over the helms of affairs of the state when in reality, he was summoned to the national capital because there have been negative reports from various quarters about his direct involvement in worsening the ongoing social unrest.’
