ZTGBA threatens legal action over defamatory claim

DIMAPUR — The Zünheboto Town GB Association (ZTGBA) has refuted a social media claim stating that it pledged support for the Congress party in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

In a press statement, ZTGBA stated that it exists to serve the interests of the citizens of Zunheboto Town and is an apolitical and non-religious association that only serves to safeguard the customary laws of our society. It added that deeming the association as openly campaigning for one party against the other is highly insulting and condemnable.

Further, it said that on April 6, ZTGBA members were invited by the District Congress Committee, Zunheboto, in the capacity of facilitators to ensure the free and fair conduct of the election procedure in the respective wards and the town in general. It cited that ZTGBA had previously attended a similar meeting with the PDA alliance partners.

It clarified that these meetings are the norm during the election process and, therefore, should not be misunderstood or misinterpreted as the association willfully supporting one party over another.

“We are committed to the development, progress and safeguarding of the customary laws of our town and have no inclination to use our office to align with any particular party,” read the statement, which further mentioned that the claim as such is preposterous and is a libel upon the association as per the IPC Cyber Defamation Law.

It said that the association will therefore, as per Section 19 of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC) and Section 499 of the IPC, pursue this case of defamation through legal means. Further, it mentioned that an FIR will be lodged at the Zunheboto Police Station along with screenshot evidence of the defamation in one tribal dialect if an apology is not rendered to its office in writing on or before April 10.

“Such malignant rumours are perpetrated by vested individuals or organisations to strain the very fabric of our society and to cause distrust and disarray,” it concluded.