Dimapur, Feb. 2 (EMN): The Naga People’s Front (NPF) has issued a statement in response to another by the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP).
The press release from the NPF’s media unit, issued on Saturday, termed the statement of the NDPP ‘most unfortunate and ridiculous statement of all time.’
The opposition said that the people of the state are “the best judges to this fabricated statement of the NDPP.”
The press release explained: “It was not only once or twice but thrice that the PDA (People’s Democratic Alliance) government reiterated their stance not to oppose the Bill quoting Article 371 A as a blanket protection. However, knowing the fact that the Naga public totally reject the Bill and so also the boycotting of the Republic Day spearheaded by the NSF, the PDA government has no choice but to cringe back in fear and surrendered to the will of the people at the eleventh hour.”
Further, the January 31 consultative meeting at Dimapur was “nothing but just an eye wash for the PDA government and to garner the attention and sympathy of the Naga people,” the press release stated.
“It may be reminded that the 31st January meeting, most of the NGO’s and tribal hohos questioned the PDA government for convening such meeting after its cabinet had on two occasion decided not to oppose the Bill. The most memorable was till January 28, 2019, the
NDPP led PDA government stand was not to oppose the Bill and for which the cabinet team was congratulated by the Union Home minister and the prime minister at New Delhi,” the NPF stated.
‘The stone hard leaders of the PDA government who was so boldly advocating that Art 371 (A) and the ILP can shelter the Bill was not agreed by many civil societies and the Naga leaders who attended the consultative meeting,’ the press release stated.
In other matters, the NPF took strong exception “to the threat issued to its President Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu by NDPP over the issue of Mr. Tokheho’s vote in the Lok Sabha favoring Citizenship Amendment Bill,” and said that “it will come out with all evidences as being ask for and also asked the NDPP to be ready with their side of evidence that Mr. Tokheho has not voted in favor of the Bill on the 8th of January when it was passed in the Lok Sabha.”
The NPF claimed that the Naga people have ‘given their largest mandate to the NPF and not NDPP.’ The NPF has asked the NDPP to be “committed and concentrate on the people’s welfare program instead of indulging in paper wars.”
