Proposed meeting was an initiative of governor PB Acharya
Says they’ll not have any discussion in presence of the CM
Dimapur, Feb. 6: Drawing the battle lines deeper still, the Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) and the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) – two organisations leading the opposition to ULB elections in Nagaland – have made it clear that they would not participate in any ‘discussion’ in the presence of chief minister TR Zeliang.
Taking this stance, the two organisations on Monday refused to attend a meeting called by governor PB Acharya – which reportedly was to be attended by the chief minister and representatives from the NBCC.
In a letter to the governor, the two organisations – while acknowledging his invitation – have reminded Acharya that their demand was non-negotiable and ‘the only solution to the crisis will depend on the stepping down of Mr T R Zeliang from the office of the chief minister.’
“The reasons are that firstly, the vehement protest against the holding of ULB elections, 2017 exhibited in the destruction of the residences of candidates at Phek and the expulsion notice to one Cabinet Minister from entering Mokokchung district let (sic) to the intervention of the highest Churches' Body in Nagaland under the banner, Nagaland Baptist Churches Council (NBCC) that led to the signing of the tripartite agreement at Chumukedima on 30th January, 2017 where the chief minister and the home minister agreed in principle to postpone the elections for two months.
“But contrary to the hope that the government would be positive, the cabinet decided against the wishes of the people. This led to the killing of two innocent youths and injuring several others in police firing in Dimapur and also in Longleng district. Further, the killing led to destruction of several government offices and properties
“Secondly, the chief minister, instead of owning responsibility for the carnage along with the loss of two lives and stepping down honourably, sarcastically appeals for peace, adding salt to injury. That in view of the above cited reason; the JCC and the NTAC Kohima will not participate in any discussion in presence of the chief minister who is unreliable and have lost the trust and confidence of the people. However, the two bodies will participate in any consultative meeting without the chief minister,” the letter read.
It also stated that the January 30 agreement stands null and void, and shall have no legal sanction. The JCC has asked the chef minister for an official notification on the same, it informed. The two organisations have called for a coordination meeting with all the tribe hoho leaders on February 7 at 11 am at APO Hall, Kohima.
