EMN
Dimapur, March 9
Lok Sabha MP, Neiphiu Rio and Rajya Sabha MP, Khekiho Zhimomi met the Union Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiju and held a serious discussion on prevailing situation in Nagaland. The MPs from Nagaland also had a meeting with Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Sarbananda Sonowal, who hails from neighboring Assam.
The two union ministers have been briefed on the need to combat the danger of the incidents taking a communal turn and the need to ensure that communal harmony and understanding is upheld during volatile period.
A statement jointly issued by Rio and Zhimomi today expressed deep pain on the shocking events that happened at Dimapur on March 5 that led to the death of the rape accused who was dragged out of Dimapur's Central Jail and subsequently lynched by a large mob.
While condemning the alleged rape of the young girl, the MPs however lamented that the manner in which the accused was killed was unacceptable.
“The irrational and bizarre actions of the mob are condemnable. It was inhuman and uncivilized which was not only a gross violation of human rights but a total negation of the rule of law. The gruesome lynching and the conduct of the mob has reverberated around the world and has shocked one and all and which is critically and negatively damaging the image and reputation of the people of Nagaland. Such type of behavior and conduct should find no place in any civilized society anywhere in the world,” they added.
The MPs termed the incident unfortunate and said that the appropriate authorities in the government could not take timely and appropriate preventive measures to stop such ‘irrational and unruly behavior’ of the mob. “The failure of the government has been admitted by none else than the Chief Minister himself.”
They said, it was also unfortunate that the incident was being given communal colours by some sections of the society which was not necessarily so.
Stating that the accused, who was killed by the mob, was married to a Naga lady and they have a three-year daughter and peacefully living in Dimapur pursuing his business for many years, the statement asserted that the question of the incident having arisen due to communal issue does not arise. “The unfortunate incident should not be politicized and no one should try to paint a communal color to it in the greater interest of communal harmony, peaceful coexistence and national unity.”
The MPs maintained that the people of Nagaland and Assam have co-existed as neighbours since time immemorial and such unfortunate incidents should not come in the way of historical and social relationships as neighbours are for all times to come.
Rio and Zhimomi expressed confidence that the law enforcing agencies will ensure quick justice and restore the law of the land. Arrests have been carried out and investigations are on for further actions, the MPs said.
“The need of the hour is for all sections of society to make every possible contribution so that the situation is allowed to come back to normal at the earliest. We must also make efforts to ensure that such uncivilized events never occur in our land again. It is a time for deep introspection and concrete decisions have to be taken. Leaders belonging to all sections must rise to the occasion and take hard decisions in the greater interest of our people.”
The MPs hoped that the dark episode will not recur and that the lessons learnt from it will contribute towards an awakening of the people so that children and future generations will carry forward positive legacies that are appreciated by the global community.
The MPs urged the ‘protectors’ of law to deliver quick justice and make possible effort to ensure that justice is not delayed in any manner.
Meanwhile, the MPs also expressed deepest condolences to the members of the bereaved families of those who died in the series of incidents. “We share your pain, and also express regret while praying for forgiveness.”
