EMN
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 18
THE DAN legislators of Mokokchung district have expressed their solid support to Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Imkong L. Imchen, in reaction to NPCC’s demand for his resignation and removal from the Council of Ministers on grounds that he had been charge sheeted by the Wokha police for his alleged “criminal” conduct during the recent general elections to the State Legislative Assembly.Youth Resources and Sports Minister, Merentoshi R, Jamir, in a press statement today said that Imkong L. Imchen had tendered his resignation as then Home Minister on February 18 last from the police lock-up in Wokha on moral grounds of his own volition “without any pressure from either the public or from any agency.” He is the first Minister since statehood to do so from public service.
Then he had contested the polls only as an MLA. The voters gave their mandate by electing him once again in free and fair elections that ensued. The people’s trust and confidence in him being clearly evident, he was inducted again into the Council of Ministers by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio “in his own wisdom,” the statement said.
As such, the NPCC’s demand for his resignation on the same issue was “totally uncalled for and amounting to inflicting double jeopardy,” Merentoshi said.
The Sports Minister also reminded that a citizen has the right of equality before law until proven guilty by a court of law as per the Fundamental Rights enshrined in the Constitution of India.
Therefore, since the matter is sub judice, “it is neither the right nor duty of the NPCC or anyone apart from the court that can pass a judgement on the said matter.” Hence the NPCC should allow the law to take its own course so that due justice is delivered by the court.
He further questioned that if the NPCC believes that it is above the Constitution of India and hence the law, and feels that it is correct to condemn a person before a decision is given by a court, then “are they also ready to shoulder the responsibility for setting a precedence through their demand where today it may be targeting someone in authority but tomorrow it may be that any citizen can be condemned by anyone even before a judgement is passed by a competent court of law?”
The statement went on to describe as “most unfortunate” that the NPCC is trying to politicize the Golden Jubilee celebrations of statehood by threatening to boycott it. The DAN Legislators of Mokokchung district appeals to the NPCC not to mix up individual issues with that of the Golden Jubilee celebrations but allow the people of the State to enjoy this auspicious occasion foregoing all party colours.
After all, statehood was not achieved by any one political party but was the outcome of the efforts and the achievement of the entire people of Nagaland. Had it not been for the creation of the State of Nagaland, the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee would never have come into being in the very first place, the statement added.
