NPF urged to be ready post-dialogue outcome, elections

KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 29 : Notwithstanding confidence about conclusion to the political negotiation between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) for a resolution before the next state general elections, members of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) have been told to be prepared for any eventuality.
Also, with o
ngoing preparations for the civic elections in 32 towns of the state likely to take place in the first week of February 2017, the party’s members have been urged to ‘give winnable candidates through compromising within the intending candidates.’

The NPF’s Central Executive Council (CEC) met at their central office in Kohima town on Tuesday.
A leader of the party observed that with the ‘election process’ being delayed, some political parties and groups were taking advantage and instigating people.

Concerning the general elections in Manipur, the party is expected to declare the names of the candidates in a week’s time.

‘Govt. should deal with unrecognised NGOs’

Minister for PWD Nuklutoshi has lamented that ‘unrecognised NGOs’ and organizations such as the ACAUT and the Mokokchung Lanur Telongjem (MLT) were ‘becoming more powerful and dominating in the society by closing down offices, organising rallies…’ The legislator said that the government should deal with these ‘unrecognised’ groups.

Also noting Governor PB Acharya being very vocal in his speeches against corruption in the state’s government, Nuklutoshi said as guardian of the law, the ‘governor should know his power and duty and behave accordingly.’ His speeches against the government and uninvited visits across the state are very ‘unbecoming’ as head of the state, the legislator claimed.

Supporting the statement, Home Minister Y Patton also said ‘Raj Bhavan has become a home to BJP, RSS and Heraka Bhavan’. He has suggested that the cabinet and CEC members meet the governor.

Tokheho on Statehood Day

Minister for PHED Tokheho Yepthomi has observed with concern that the state’s foundation day, December 1, was being ‘overlapped’ by the Hornbill Festival. December 1 should be set aside exclusively for observation of Statehood Day, he said and suggested that the Festival be celebrated from December 2.

Also speaking on the Naga political issue, Tokheho was sceptical of the central leaders who, according to him, have been ‘promising resolution to the Naga political issue for years together, but without any conclusion till today.’

Justifying his mistrust, he queried ‘if they are serious why are they allowing Naga political groups to splits into many factions and continuously giving recognition to all the splinter groups?’ He opined that the government was trying to make the Naga issue ‘smaller and smaller’ by giving recognition to all the “political” groups.

Resolutions

The NPF’s CEC has adopted a set of resolutions during a meeting on November 29.The group has resolved to support the Nagaland Legislative Assembly’s resolution, during its winter session held during 22nd-24th November 2016, revoking the restriction on Women Reservation Act being passed on 22nd Sept 2012. The party also ‘felt it pertinent’ to urge the state government to take stringent steps to protect flora and fauna of the state. The CEC also endorsed the appeal made by Chief Minister TR Zeliang to the leadership of the NSCN (K) in Myanmar recently to renew the ceasefire. The CEC also said to continue support to the ongoing peace process between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM). The party has reiterated the stand that “Integration is and must be an integral part of the dialogue”.

Also, the CEC has appealed to the central government not to impose Good Governance Day coinciding with Christmas Day (25th December), a sacred day for Christians.