Seleyi clarifies
Kohima Bureau
Kohima, Nov. 16 (EMN): The recent decision of the Angami Public Organization (APO) to disallow any form of agitation under its jurisdiction appears to have drawn flak from several quarters including the social media platforms to even amongst the organisation’s members and some senior citizens of the community. The APO statement announcing this came at a time when the Public Coordination Committee, had announced to hold a sit-in protest in Kohima to press the state government for implementation of Lokayukta and make right prevailing corrupt practices.
On Thursday, some likeminded Angami elders had a hurriedly called meeting at the Red Cross Complex Kohima and discussed their concern over the matter. They expressed that the APO ban has surprised many ‘well-meaning Nagas including many elderly Angamis’. The elders stated that such peaceful democratic practice did not create any disturbances to the public systems, nor did it disturb any educational institutions or any processes of the government from functioning.
Expressing that they were seriously concerned at the ‘ill-advised action of the APO’ and after prolonged discussion, the majority of them conveyed that they felt the APO decision has compromised the honour and prestige of the entire community.
“We do not approve of the APO ban,” asserted one of the elderly Angami who was present at the meeting. He said APO was built on the foundations of upholding the rights of the people and to work for the welfare of the people, and not to volunteer at festivals or events funded by corrupt leaders. Another elder said the APO was built to support and fight for rights and justice, and not to disallow others from agitating for a noble cause. He maintained that when leaders make any mistake, they must also be ready to take moral responsibility.
One of the elders present also pointed out that the APO is not a political agent, but he felt that political influences were creating divisions. He alleged that opposing the PCC protest appeared to have political interests, and further maintained that a seasoned apex tribal organisation like APO should not follow in the direction of any politician or political party.
Meanwhile, many social networking sites users have also been upfront in registering their shock over the way APO had come up with their decision to disallow protests when young public service aspirants and the anti-graft movement ACAUT were proposing to stage a protest against corruption outside the Civil Secretariat in the state capital. “When Kohima is said to be the capital of Nagaland, how can one tribe body rule over the capital of the state?” is what some social media users are asking.
The absence of a clear cut rule in regard to where the jurisdiction of tribe organisations begin or end could also be blamed in this situation.
Contradictory to allegations, an APO official, when contacted, informed that the organisation was not against any peaceful protest, and that the officials of APO were in touch with some Acaut leaders. He also rubbished talks that the organisation had asked its frontal units to attempt to stop the current sit-in protest.
Meanwhile, the APO has issued another statement this evening saying that the APO governing body on the Nov. 10 last unanimously decided to issue its declaration not to allow protests or agitations under its jurisdiction, which appeared on Nov. 12 and in the local dailies.
A press release issued by APO president Dr. Vilhousa Seleyi stated that the earlier statement issued by APO vice president KT Vilie Theünuo on behalf of the organisation seems to be misconstrued.
“It was issued at the behest and on behalf of the organisation after intense deliberation and consultation. We do support all efforts by different sections of our society in its quest for justice as a public body. Therefore, I am obliged to appeal to everyone concerned to understand this as responsible citizens of our society,” Seleyi stated.
