Village groups summon NPP leader; Lotha replies

Dimapur, Feb. 13 (EMN): Two community groups from Wokha district have ‘summoned’ a leader of the National People’s Party (NPP) for comments that are associated with a statement stated to have been made by the deputy chief minister of Nagaland.

The Old Riphyim Village Council and Old Riphyim Wokha Union issued on Thursday a ‘notice’ addressed to NPP leader Hayithung Bill Lotha.

In response, National Executive Member of the NPP Hayithung Bill Lotha, issued a press release stating that every citizen has the right of Freedom of Speech and Expression and that he would not apologise or “surrender” as he was only expressing his views.

According to the notice, the two groups stated, “you gave a statement ‘NPP reacts to Patton’s remark’” in a local newspaper dated February 3 2020 and other media and ‘because of the public statement a lot of confusions, tensions, misunderstandings and problems is being caused within and amongst our Riphyim villagers and Lothas.’

‘In order to clear the air, before 7th February 2020, you must apologise to Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton and the village authorities and also give a public apology statement to the media for information.’

“You also must personally come to Riphyim village on 14th February, 2020, in order to give proper explanations. Your failure to do as directed shall be dealt sternly as per the resolution of the village,” the notice stated.

In a separate statement, received here on Thursday, Hayithung Bill Lotha stated that the press statement in the report “NPP reacts to Patton’s remark,” was “purely a political viewpoint and in no ways infringes a subject matter concerning Old Riphyim Village.”

“I haven’t committed any nature of crime, violence, arson or theft etc. against the established norms and laws of civilised society and especially vis-a-vis Old Riphyim Village. As a matter of fact, I should not have been given a ‘summon notice’ by Old Riphyim Village Council/Riphyim Unions in the first place.”

“I verily tell all of you concern, I shall ‘not apologise nor surrender’ my democratic rights to voice out for the downtrodden peoples. My beloved Old Riphyim brethren’s, no matter how rough the road maybe, I can and I will never surrender,” Lotha stated.

Lotha called it ‘wrongful and illegal intentions’ to suppress and ‘subjugate’ him.

He stated: ‘I am saddened but nevertheless I as a humble Christian who is completely subservient before biblical ecclesiastical doctrines, today in Lord Jesus Christ’s name I forgive you all who were involved in this diabolical deed to ‘politically assassinate’ me, for in Luke 6:35-36 it says ‘but love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back…’ I also am an adherent to Romans 12:17- 19 – Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men…”vengeance is mine, I will repay”, say the Lord.”

Lotha reminded the organisations that in Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution of India it states, “All citizens shall have the Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression.”

‘The philosophy lies in the Preamble, where a solemn resolve is made to secure to all its citizen, liberty of thought and expression. We are living in a free, liberal and democratic nation, and as a bonafide Indian citizen, my ‘voice’ cannot be curbed or silenced by even the most powerful force on this earth,’ Lotha stated.