Naga Hoho asks state govt to resign ‘gracefully’

Dimapur, Feb. 5: Emerging from the foreshadows of other community fronts leading the ongoing agitation against the municipal and town elections, the Naga Hoho on Sunday urged “the government” to “gracefully” step down. The Naga Hoho issued a press release to the media on Sunday stating that the government had lost the moral right to govern the people. “The present government of Nagaland does not listen to the voice of the people, can treacherously betray its own commitments made in the presence of our highest sacred institution and even goes to the extent of the taking the lives of the son of the soil,” the press release stated. “The government has lost the moral right to govern the people and it should gracefully step down if the leaders have any conscience.” When visionary and ‘just leaders’ govern, the organisation stated, there is justice. But when “unscrupulous, power hungry and corrupt people rule the government becomes blind and deaf to the suffering and cries of the people,” it remarked. The Naga Hoho expressed anguish at the chain of unfortunate events in Nagaland that also saw the loss of lives, injury to people and damage to valued property. “These were the consequence of the government of Nagaland’s unwillingness to listen to the voice of the people. The Naga Hoho has been consistent in its stand of opposition as far as the election of the ULBs vis-a-vis the municipal act is concerned. Various consultation were held and communiqués even to the extent of serving ultimatum to the government were left totally unheeded,” the organisation lamented. Here, the organisation assured that it would ‘remain steadfast with the Naga people despite being fully aware of its shortcoming and failures on many fronts.’ The Naga Hoho also condemned the action of the government and its machineries that it said led to the killing of youths Bendangnungsang and Khriesavizo Metha, besides causing injury to some others. The platform conveyed condolences to the family members of the two demised youths and prayed that the departed souls rest in peace. “May the good lord give strength and solace to the close and dear ones,” it added. Tribal Union of Chumukedima The Tribal Union of Chumukedima Town (TUCT) has also echoed the demand for resignation of legislators in the government. The union issued a press release on Sunday urging community organisations to “do the needful” to see that their respective legislator and representative resigns. The union expressed resentment and condemnation at what they called the “arrogant high handedness” of Chief Minister TR Zeliang and his Cabinet that, the organisation said, led to the killing of two youths. The TUCT has urged all the “apex tribals” of Nagaland “to do the needful to let their respective MLA / ministers / parliamentary secretary to resign.” The community group also reaffirmed that the TUCT had been with the apex tribal bodies “right from the beginning.” It has expressed full support to the Joint Action Committee and to the Nagaland Tribes' Action Committee ‘till logical conclusion is reached.’ In a related matter, the organisation has expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family members of the two youths. It prayed that the Almighty God grant speedy recovery to the injured as well. The Tribal Union of Chumukedima Town also extended heartfelt gratitude to all individuals and parties /organisations such as the Chumukedima Village Council, Chumukedima Students' Union, Chumukedima Town Youth Organisation; GBs, tribal units and the ENPO of Chumukedima town; neighbouring villages, and the business community for their support Nagaland Public Rights’ Awareness and Action Forum A local organisation, the Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF), has also asked the chief minister and his Cabinet to ‘resign immediately.’ The group issued a press release on Sunday stating the demand. ‘The NPRAAF appeals to the chief minister TR Zeliang and his cabinet to immediately resign without much waste of time weighting the gravity of the social unrest in the state, rather than demanding more paramilitary forces from the Center to intimidate people’s movement or going signature drive with MLAs to hold on to chair disregarding people’s voice, after having lost its credibility,’ the statement explained. According to the NPRAAF, the situation ‘flared up beyond interpretation of Article 371A as the people had lost faith in the government.’ The decision of the Cabinet “to meet the prime minister” to seek exemption of Nagaland from the purview of Part IX-A of the Constitution of India is “hilariously foolish,” the group asserted. “The government has adopted resolution in 2012 to forgo the said ordinance. However in November 2016 the government has again passed a resolution to accept the said ordinance. The confused government should call a special assembly session to again revoke the said act reiterating the 2012 resolution and further revoking the 2016 resolution,” according to the NPRAAF. The 60 legislators need not go to the Prime Minister for exemption from the purview of Part IX-A to “stultify” itself, it asserted. Also, the NPRAAF felt it was “wrong to impose ULB election against people’s wish though it views women’s reservation policy good and progressive.” The NPRAAF added a caution: “However the voice of the Nagas must be paramount and supports the civil societies legitimate demands. NPRAAF finally wants NPF to take note that NPF should not try to politicize and project the unprecedented situation in the state as a power struggle between Chief Minister TR Zeliang and MP (Lok Sabha) Nephiu Rio as the civil societies spontaneously oppose the ULB polls and the Lok Sabha MP has done nothing wrong coming back to Nagaland from Delhi in solidarity with the Nagas as the lone MP directly elected by the people.” Also, the group denounced the killing of Bendangnungsang Longkumer (21) and Khriesavizo Metha (25) on the night of January 31 when the police opened fire outside the chief minister’s private residence at 3rd Mile in Dimapur. “The unfortunate situation could have been averted had the state government honoured the agreement made between the Joint Coordination Committee and government witnessed by NBCC (Nagaland Baptist Church Council) on 30th Jan. 2017 at Chumukedima, Dimapur to postpone ULB (Urban Local Body) elections,” the group stated. The NPRAAF explained that it was “astonished" that the government had the “audacity even to trick the church which is considered as a sacred institution of God.” The government has lost the people’s goodwill and mandate to govern, the group added.