EMN
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 28
The Noke led NPF said it is issuing this press release in order to inform the public on the ‘nefarious activities’ being carried out by the minority chief minister TR Zeliang. It said the whole state is aware of the fact that MLA Deo Nukhu was kidnapped from Dimapur under threat and intimidation by armed elements and was taken to Kohima and made to sign documents under duress.
“We fully trust the credibility, reputation and commitment of Deo Nukhu as he had signed affidavits and letters of support to Kaito Aye and Noke Wangnao which were addressed to the Election Commission of India and to the Honorable Governor. In fact, he had presented himself to the Honorable Governor on two occasions reaffirming his support to the leadership of Kaito Aye. He even assured the Governor that he was not under any duress in supporting Kaito Aye. Therefore, we trust that he is committed in his declarations which he had made to the Constitutional head of the State and to the ECI,” the statement of Noke led NPF said.
“As a leader who has been elected to the assembly on three occasions, he is a senior member who we hold in high regard and respect and we are confident that he is not a leader who will change his stand in such a cheap manner. We are certain that he can only change his mind and support under duress and threats as we understand him to be a leader who is honest with proven integrity. The leaders of his assembly constituency have also publicly issued statements condemning his abduction and have called for his release. We urge upon the law enforcing agencies and the protectors of the Constitution to take appropriate steps to release him from captive confinement from former party president Dr. Shurhozelie’s hotel in Kohima. Likewise, all the others, who are also held under forced confinement, must be released immediately,” the Noke led NPF demanded.
According to the statement, it is in this context that TR Zeliang had nefariously planned to kidnap more MLAs from Dimapur and to make them commit to his leadership under duress and intimidations. On January 23, 2015, the SP of Kohima was forced to issue orders withdrawing the security cover of the VIPs supporting Kaito Aye without following any proper procedures but with the sole intention of removing the security cover so that he could kidnap them using armed elements. “A copy of the SP’s order is attached. On receipt of the government’s orders of withdrawing our security, we have taken up the matter with the Union Home Minister and the Honorable Governor. The Government had withdrawn the security cover without any formal sitting of the Threat Perception Committee nor was the decision taken with any inputs from intelligence agencies or surveillance units,” it added. The Chief Minister had passed these orders without taking into any consideration the change in threat perception of the VIPs despite the present political scenario and despite the abduction of Deo Nukhu from Dimapur, the statement further said. “Instead of increasing the security cover of the vulnerable VIPs, the opposite was being done. The action was politically motivated and seriously compromised the security and safety of the elected Members who carry the mandate of the people. Who will be responsible if any untoward incident was to happen, especially in view of the present political scenario and in view of Nagaland being a politically and security sensitive State. We have demanded that appropriate action be taken on those officers or departments that passed these orders without following the laid down procedures or let the minority chief minister come clear that he did not issue such orders,” it also said.
In connection to the security cover of the elected MLAs, the Noke led NPF said they extend their deep appreciation to the Governor who has intervened in the matter and given instructions to the DGP not to remove any security cover of the VIPs but rather he has asked for enhancement of the security cover. “We deeply appreciate his intervention and also the quick actions of the Government of India,” it stated.
“However, the Naga people should realize that, the thirst for power and position is making the minority chief minister go to all lengths just so that he can hang on to the chair. Such compromise of security and safety of the elected members by the State government is condemnable and exposes the attitude of the minority leader,” the statement also said.
