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03/31/2009: "Former NSF President Achumbemo joins NPF Our Correspondent Morung"

Former NSF President Achumbemo joins NPF Our Correspondent Morung

Former NSF president Achumbemo Kikon along with Dr. Shurhozelie,NPF president and W Kithan parliamentary secretary in Kohima on Monday. (Morung Photo)
Kohima | March 30 : Achumbemo Kikon, a former President of the Naga Students Federation (NSF) and also a former candidate of LJP today joined the Nagaland People’s Front (NPF) party. “With a view to strengthen the leadership of Neiphiu Rio and Dr. Shurhozelie, I hereby tender my resignation from the LJP and joined the NPF forthwith,” said Achumbemo Kikon at the welcoming ceremony held here at the resident of NPF President Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu.
Kikon said he had taken the decision after considering the endeavour of the NPF to expand its wings to all the Naga areas irrespective of the present political boundaries. He also stated that he had joined the NPF viewing that the party stands for the right of Naga people and its efforts to resolve the Naga political problem. Kikon, who is also the former president of Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), said that he would contribute to the efforts of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and NPF president for sincerely working to bring Nagas together, which Nagas are yearning for.
Welcoming Achumbemo to the NPF fold, Dr. Liezietsu described him as a very prominent student leader, adding that the NPF needs young people who are well conversant with the local issues and political situation. He expressed his happiness that Achumbemo has decided to work with the NPF party. One being asked whether the party is going to give any assignment to Achumbemo, Dr. Liezietsu said that it would certainly accommodate him, adding “if not it will be a loss for us.”
W. Kithan, Parliamentary Secretary also spoke on the occasion and welcomed Achumbemo for joining the NPF party. He hoped that through a collective effort it will carry things forward and work for the welfare of the people.
TL Angami not to contest Lok Sabha pollsDimapur, March 30 (MExN): Putting to rest all speculations of a triangular contest likely for the Lok Sabha Polls in Nagaland, TL Angami in a statement disclosed he will not be contesting for the elections.
Angami disclosed that in the run up to speculations being generated to his contesting the polls he ‘received many unsolicited support from various friends and leaders of the state’. However Angami in consideration of requests and advices from people and well wishers has decided not to file “nomination papers this time.” Angami in the note also expressed gratitude to all who had extended him support.
345 people from 8 villages flee to Tousem sub-division in Tamenglong Imphal Free Press From Daniel Kamei

TAMENGLONG, Mar 29: As many as 345 Zeliangrong people from eight villages of Haflong force fled and are camping as refugees at Tousem sub-division of Tamenglong district of Manipur. The incident took place after the recent violence in Haflong areas of North Cachar Hill district in Assam in which five persons were killed and another three persons were injured by armed cadres of DHD (Jewel) faction few days back.

Out of 345 Zeliangrongs who are taking shelter at Tousem sub-division as many as 220 people are sheltered at Mandeu village, 55 at Tousem headquarters, 50 at Njunkuak village and 20 more at Zenning village. They are staying at their relatives, a source said.

Many Zeliangrong organizations, communities, NGOs and relatives have condemned the incident. Among the Zeliangrong organizations, the Zeliangrong Students Union Manipur (ZSUM), Zeliangrong Students Union Tamenglong District (ZSUTD), Zeliangrong Students Union Tousem Area (ZSUTA), Zeliangrong Pui Baudi and Zeliangrong Baudi Tamenglong today condemned the incident of killing of five Zeliangrong men.

While speaking to the IFP, Ramning, secretary of the Zeliangrong Pui Baudi said that the lands belong to Nagas and Nagas are originated from there. “We deeply share the hardship faced by Zeliangrong communities and we are trying hard to help,” she added.

The Zeliangrong Students Union also stated that due to bamboo flowering and rodent menace the people were really facing a tough life and the burden of Zeliangrong community had been doubled.

For victims and refugees at Tousem areas the Zeliangrong Students Union, Tamenglong district also mobilized a relief. ZSUTD also appealed to one and all to reach out a relief in cash or in kind for the victims for which the following mobile phones may be contacted: 9436444124, 9436080912, 9402080038 and 9436444115. The district administration teams will be leaving the district headquarters tomorrow to open the relief camp at Tousem area for the refugees, an official source informed the IFP tonight.

As the Zeliangrong Baudi, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland and the Zeliangrong Students Union Manipur requested the Nagaland chief minister, he also granted 10 trucks loaded with relief rice for the refugees at Tousem area, GH Newmeih, chairman of ZSUM informed the IFP. The Naga Hoho is entrusted to monitor the relief rice at Tousem area, he added. The Nagaland chief minister also issued an order for construction of a road from Prent district of Kohima to Tamenglong district of Manipur, the source further said.

Peaceniks cry war after Ulfa claim OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph


File picture of Jiten Dutta and Mrinal Hazarika (from left)
Dibrugarh, March 29: An Ulfa leader today admitted that the outfit had handed “capital punishment” to peacenik Robin Gogoi — killed early last week — for his anti-organisational actions, prompting an enraged pro-talks group to sound a war bugle against the militants’ “illegal and unjustified” moves.
A source told The Telegraph that Ulfa’s central committee leader Antu Chowdung spoke of the outfit’s role in Gogoi’s assassination when pro-talks leader Jiten Dutta called him on his mobile phone during a meeting at their Kakopathar camp and put it on speaker mode for all to hear.
“Robin Gogoi was handed capital punishment because of his crucial role in creating a rift in Ulfa and also for his direct role in providing leads to the police and other security agencies on Ulfa’s armoury. It was Gogoi who led the police to the seizure of 27 AK series rifles and a huge consignment of ammunition a few months ago. Therefore, there was no way out for the leadership but to hand down a capital punishment to him,” Chowdung said over phone.
He said since the decision was taken by the outfit’s leadership, he could not say anything further on the issue. Gogoi and an associate, Luit Baishya, were deep in conversation at a fair at Chapakhowa town in Sadiya when unidentified assailants shot them last Tuesday. While his associate died on the spot, Gogoi succumbed to injuries on the way to hospital in Tinsukia. Chowdung’s statement sent a wave of furore among the pro-talks members from several Upper and lower Assam districts, huddled in a closed-door meeting moderated by former 28 battalion leaders Mrinal Hazarika, Prabal Neog and Dutta.
The killing had rattled the peaceniks as Gogoi was a top-level leader of the group and was considered to be the brain behind bringing the Alpha and Charlie companies of Ulfa’s 28 battalion overground in June last year. After the phone conversation between Chowdung and Dutta ended, all the cadres stood up in unison to demand strong measures against the arrogant Ulfa leadership — primarily its chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa and commander-in-chief Paresh Barua.
“Therefore, a decision was adopted that from now onwards, the pro-talks Ulfa group will not keep mum but constantly oppose all the illegal and unjustified activities of Ulfa,” the source said. Later, addressing a news conference at the Kakopathar designated camp, Dutta said the meeting also urged the government to book the culprits as soon as possible.
“We have conducted an independent investigation into Gogoi’s killing and have gathered valuable evidence. We will soon hand over all the evidence to state director-general of police G.M. Srivastava. We had earlier stated that Ulfa was involved in the killing and today’s telephone conversation confirmed the fact. We know that some of our cadres who had been expelled from our designated camps for their illegal and immoral activities, too, had helped Ulfa in execution of their plan to assassinate Gogoi. We had shared all this information with Sadiya police administration, but, till date surprisingly, the police, for reasons best known to them, have preferred to keep silent,” Dutta said.
On the possible role of the pro-talks group during the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, Hazarika said all cadres would refrain from voting.
Naga rebel barb at PC Nagarealm[NISHIT DHOLABHAI ]
New Delhi, MAR28 [TI] : A top Naga militant has dubbed P. Chidambaram “ignorant” in an interview published within hours of New Delhi ending two-day talks with his outfit in Zurich on Friday. The interviewer uses even more intemperate language against the home minister. Isak Chishi Swu, chairman of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), purportedly gave the interview to sympathetic Dutch activist, Frans Welman, on March 10. It was, however, posted on www.tangkhul.com only on Friday, after NSCN general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah and his team had wrapped up talks with home ministry officials and the Centre’s interlocutor, K. Padmanabhaiah, in the Swiss city.

In the interview, Swu tears into New Delhi over the Naga stalemate. Welman, secretary of the Amsterdam-based NGO, Naga International Support Centre, asks Swu: “But then you have a (uses intemperate language) like Chidambaram who suddenly says something else. Conditions? He never heard of that, you know.” This was a reference to the minister’s statement that the talks should be within the ambit of the Indian Constitution. The NSCN is looking for a “special federal relationship between Nagaland and India”, a demand Delhi has rejected.

Swu purportedly says in the interview that “a person like him (Chidambaram)” does not seem to know that when the negotiations began at the highest level, there had been no conditions. “But he is putting condition if he says ‘within the Constitution’… we did not start talking in that way, so he is completely ignorant,” Swu is quoted as saying. A home ministry source said Welman need not be taken seriously. Welman has been lobbying in Europe for the NSCN and its leaders Swu, who divides his time between Manila and Amsterdam, and the Amsterdam-based Muivah.

In Zurich, though, the topic was not the Constitution but the ceasefire. Indian officials conveyed Delhi’s “zero tolerance” to truce violations, sources said. In recent months, there have been standoffs between NSCN cadres and the Assam Rifles. Chidambaram has told his officials that once the elections end, the Naga issue would be taken up urgently. The rebels, however, suspect Delhi would try to get them to “compromise” too much. The NSCN has been “studying” the Indian Constitution for over a year so it can point out which provisions are “unacceptable”.
Dreaming the Naga Dream morungexpress
I Have A Dream for nagas
MEx I have a Dream Campaign Please share your Dreams at: mexdream@gmail.com
Dreams are made of sweet things and nightmares. The persons who made it big in their life had dream of a free nation, of a prosperous society, of a truly egalitarian society, where all were equal. They were dreamers par excellence who put their thoughts and dreams to deeds, never gave up hope and strived to achieve what they had dreamt. And for them life was not empty.
Dreaming the Naga dream would garner the talent to imbibe the virtues of our glorious part together with the realities of the present. If our heads are to be held high, we must be courageous and honorable. In the field of sports Nagas have the superiority of winning medals for our country. Of a nation in terms of scientific achievement we have the mental capacity to become pioneers and inventors beyond the line of computers. Nagaland as I dream will provide necessary infrastructure and financial backing to these great minds.
I have a dream that one day from the mountains, valleys and farms that are currently swelling under injustice, fear of the burgeoning tariff structure, fear from sexual harassment, the list being endless, a leader will rise from the ashes of the oppressed class to rescue the humanity from the shackles of enmity, hatred and discord and guide the people to a bright and sustainable future.
I have a dream that Nagas as one sharing one land, under one sky, fetch water from one cistern, the sons of the invaded and the sons of the invaders will sit together on the table of brotherhood while their children go to schools together to build a bright future without fear and insecurity; will one day unite above all sectarian and ism confines to rebuild this nation to a new dawn of hope after a long night of wars and persecution.
In our society corruption has become a part and parcel of our society and selfish individuals are setting sordid examples. More the money merrier and easier the job get done. The result is that genuine needs to the rich have the officials bowing before them. Let Nagaland of my dreams face this challenge and get rid of this menace.
Let my Nagas have the world respect for its cultural richness and diversity, where we are recognized for our exemplary ethics. Let us be a nation of erudite, ethical and low abiding citizens who think of the welfare of our society and nation before self.
Let our nation have nationals who reject dogmatic writings inculcated through selfish individuals difference, where spiritual leaders teach about human values and do not incite religion sect in the name of religion, where population control is done by the citizens voluntarily for the benefit of the nation this will the Nagaland of my dreams.
Are these dreams futile and far-fetched? The self seekers will think off and the corrupt will laugh off. But when the masses wake up and the voice of the people reached the crescendo. Let the clarion call of the ages come again and the common man decide to achieve our dreams at any cost. “We shall overcome some day”. After all impossible is nothing.
Let us once again dream the dream of our ancestors, not an empty dream but one which will strive to achieve when people from the peak of Saramati to the plains of Dimapur unite. We will be at peace with ourselves, peace with nature. Yes we are one people with one dream and a common destiny. God bless the Naga and its land.
Vekedu Resü Phek

Effigies of CM, IM leaders burnt By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Mar 30 : In protest against the failure to deliver justice in the murder case of Kasom Khullen SDO Dr Th Kishan and his two staff, Meira Paibis burnt effigies of Chief Minister O Ibobi and top leaders of NSCN (IM) today at Imphal.
The protest demonstration was staged at Thang- meiband Hijam Leikai, Chingakham Lampak against the deafening silence being maintained by both the State Government and the NSCN (IM) without giving any punishment to the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
Besides burning effigies of Chief Minister O Ibobi and NSCN (IM) leaders, all clad in phaneks and blouses, the Meira Paibis also raised numerous slogans.
The slogans raised by the Meira Paibis include, “NSCN (IM) should be declared as a terrorist group”, “Chief Minister O Ibobi, resign immediately” etc.
They also put up placards which read as “Punish savage NSCN (IM) cadres”, “NSCN (IM)’s who could not keep their words are more cruel terrorists than Al Qaeda” etc.
The Meira Paibis also used cartoon pictures that made a mockery of Chief Minister O Ibobi as well as NSCN (IM) leaders.
SDO Kishan, Mondal Y Token, and driver A Rajen were found bludgeoned to death at Lukhrabi Thong near Taphou Kuki village in Senapati district on February 17 after they were abducted by some NSCN (IM) cadres from Ukhrul.
Even as the NSCN (IM) has admitted that the brutal murder was carried by its own cadres and has given assurance to punish the culprits, the deadline it sought to complete its investigation has long expired. On the other, the State Assembly in its session held this month resolved to persuade New Delhi to affect hand over of the culprits to the State law enforcing agency. Althou-gh, the State Govt too inves- tigated the murder, nothing has been disclosed about the statements of the three staff abducted together with SDO Kishan but relea-sed unharmed by the NSCN (IM) and later rescued by security forces from a village in Ukhrul district, leave apart punishing the culprits, decried the Meira Paibis.
‘Total breakdown of law & order in Kohima’ morungexpress
Dimapur, March 30 (MExN): The District Congress Committee (DCC), Kohima has expressed serious concern over what it described as the “total breakdown of law and order situation in Kohima” and alleged that the “lethargic and lackadaisical attitude of the DAN Government and District enforcing agencies have given undue advantage to the anti-social elements to pounce on the general public including the business community in Kohima town”. “The treasure hunt of the DAN leaders precedes their priority for addressing the plight of common people and trading community everywhere on matter of social security and adequate protection,” stated a press note issued by Viseyienuo Keretsu, General Secretary (administration) and Prasielie Pienyu, President, DCC, Kohima.
DCC Kohima extends solidarity to Kohima Chamber of Commerce & Industries
While condemning the State Government and its machineries for failing to contain law and order situation in Kohima and its peripheral areas, the DCC Kohima extended its solidarity and support to the Kohima Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) in its agitational program of closure of all shops and business establishments on March 31, 2009. “As this initiative of KCCI is for a genuine cause, the DCC, Kohima appeals the public to extend all possible co-operation to ensure that the program turns out successfully.”
KMC expresses ‘pain’ at KCCI Dimapur, March 30 (MExN): The Kohima Municipal Council today expressed ‘pain’ that the Kohima Chamber of Commerce & Industries would drag the council “under the category of extortion without any rhyme and reason”. The KCCI had yesterday mentioned the council’s coupon system along with the points of extortion and intimidation by “some groups and organizations”.
On March 31 all business establishments in the capital will close from 6:00 am till 6:00 pm, as “one day token closure” to draw attention to the grievances faced by the trading community. Topping the business community’s grievances was the unchecked and rampant culture of extortion and threats “by some groups and organizations”.
In a rejoinder today, the council said to be sympathizing with the stand of the KCCI that it has been enduring extortion and intimidation. However, the KMC stated, it is ‘pained’ to see the press statement of the KCCI “dragging the name of KMC under the category of extortion without any rhyme and reason”.
The council clarified that it is only implementing what is given in the Nagaland Municipal Act. The council explained: “Under the Act Chapter –IV Section 152, 173, 179 etc. clearly states that, except on hereinafter provided, municipality may levy on goods brought into the Municipal area for consumption, use or sale therein and different rates may be specified for different types of goods, in different municipalities. Under the above mention Act, all commodities are taxable, yet, presently KMC is taxing only on few perishable goods.”
Moreover, the KMC stated, the coupon system has been in practice since the inception of “KTC” and the same is in practice for more than 52 years. It is not a new concept either, the council said. “But, with a view to introduce new system on import, the tender system was revoked in the interest of the public in general and business community in particular...it is to be noted that the survival of any municipality largely depends on taxes, with which only it facilitate itself to serve the people and the city it represent,” the KMC added.
Chang will not betray the people like Wangyuh did, says Rio
KIPHIRE, (EMN): The high profile DAN election campaign for the Lok Sabha elections today reached Kiphire district
where DAN leaders led by the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio addressed a large gathering at Kiphire public ground.
Addressing the meeting, Rio described the DAN consensus candidate, CM Chang, as a seasoned leader who would not betray the people the way the sitting MP Wangyuh Konyak had done. He reminded that Wangyuh had won the previous Lok Sabha polls with a margin of more than four lakh votes but said he had betrayed all Nagas who had voted for him through his betrayal in Parliament.
Continuing with the flaying of the opposition party over the Naga issue, Rio again brought up the recent Naga Consultative Meet held in Kohima and said the Congress was the only party which had boycotted the meet despite the full participation of all parties, including underground groups. He accused the Congress of always trying to suppress smaller states like Nagaland and cited the President’s Rule which ‘was imposed under the most undemocratic circumstances’.
The CM further asserted that it is only through a regional party that the Naga uniqueness and culture can be protected and preserved.
On the political issue, he said undergrounds or overgrounds all are members of the same family while assuring that the NPF works for the welfare of the people and that the party is continuously striving to play the role of active facilitator.
Others who spoke at the rally included representatives of DAN coalition partners, Planning Minister TR Zeliang, Parliamentary Secretary Heno and MLA Kipilli Sangtam.
Home Minister Imkong Imchen was also present. Minister and former Rajya Sabha MP TR Zeliang highlighted the advantages of being an MP from a regional party especially in the context of Nagaland and observed that an NPF MP is always on equal footing with others political parties since it was a recognised party. He countered Congress’ allegations and said the NPF MP would be given enough opportunity to participate in every debate and discussion.

Asungba reassures on active facilitator role KOHIMA, (EMN): As the NPF and Congress continued to spar on the Naga political issue on their campaign trails, INC candidate for the Lok Sabha polls K. Asungba Sangtam today assured he can make a pan Indian audience aware of the Naga political issue.
Addressing an election meeting at Tseminyu town, Sangtam spoke of the need to be aware that Naga issue is not a law and order problem but purely a political issue which needs to be resolved politically. “As a fellow Naga deeply concerned with the political future of our people, it shall be my prayer and duty to play the role of an active facilitator in bringing an honourable solution to our political issue and peace in Nagaland,” he said.
The INC candidate also said to bring about long term peace, prosperity and stability, clause 2 and 13 of the 16-Point Agreement signed between the centre and the Naga People’s Convention (NPC), which have till date not been fulfilled, requires to be executed both in letter and spirit.
Touching on the unemployment issue, Sangtam said ‘concerned effort and visionary leadership’ is needed to take up the challenge, adding that he would put all efforts for Naga educated unemployed youths if elected.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders lashed out at the state government for what they claimed corruption in all departments. NPCC president KV Pusa, CLP leader Chingwang Konyak and former chief minister KL Chishi slammed the DAN government and said only Congress can deliver goods to the people. Pusa and Konyak reiterated the party’s stand on the Naga political issue that Nagas must first unite for solution. Pusa urged the centre to expedite the Naga peace process and that talks be transparent.
Looming shadow of insurgency Separatist movements have been an integral part of the politics of Assam M. S. Prabhakara

Separatist movements, of which some have become active insurgencies, are a key issue in the elections in Assam. There are some 30 such groups, but most are little more than nameplate organisations, with a limited presence (if at all), engaging sporadically in extortion and acting as pressure groups. A dozen or so are dormant, either engaged in or waiting for formal talks with the State and Central governments.
Three insurgencies are currently active: the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and the Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF).
Oldest group ULFA, the oldest of them being founded on April 7, 1979, is based principally in Assam with its support base in the Brahmaputra valley. It has had training camps and sanctuaries in Nagaland and Naga inhabited areas of Arunachal Pradesh, as well as in Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
It has had some operational links with other insurgent outfits in Assam and in the northeast, especially with both the major factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN). ULFA’s stated objective is the attainment of Swadhin Asom (independent Assam). It has declared its readiness to talk with the government on the condition that the above is on the agenda.
Once active throughout the State, with the capacity to strike at will, the organisation has suffered splits and desertions; however these do not seem to have affected its capacity to constantly renew itself. Most of its top leaders are in exile. Its Vice President and General Secretary are in prison in Guwahati and Dhaka. Many others have been killed.
Most recently, a group calling itself the pro-talks faction of ULFA, walked out and is staying in ‘designated camps,’ in Assam; however, it has not surrendered its arms. This group, which seeks ‘maximum autonomy’ for Assam, insists that any talks should discuss this demand. One of the group’s leaders made the point, that in every election since 1991 — that is, after the dismissal of the first Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) Ministry — no party or alliance has been able to come to power in Assam without ULFA’s support.
The NDFB, originally known as the Bodo Security Force (BdSF), was founded on October 3, 1986. Its stated objective is the attainment of a sovereign Bodoland. Ranjan Daimary, its founder president, was recently eased out of his position and later expelled from the organisation. This internal upheaval took place co-terminously with the latest renewal of the six monthly ceasefire and truce arrangement in January this year. This arrangement has been place since May 2005, though formal talks are yet to begin. Despite this longstanding arrangement, a faction of the NDFB under Mr. Daimary is believed to have been involved in the serial bomb blasts in Assam on October 30 last year. This is one of the reasons for his expulsion, according to the new president of the NDFB, Dhiren Boro.
The youngest of the active insurgencies in Assam, the Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF) came into being on May 16, 2004, following the ceasefire signed with the government by the United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS), the Karbi Anglong-based insurgent outfit, two years earlier. A faction of the UPDS opposed to the ceasefire split and constituted itself as the KLNLF. Though its name includes North Cachar Hills, the KLNLF is active principally in Karbi Anglong, which, with the North Cachar Hills district, constitutes the Autonomous District (ST) Lok Sabha constituency. Its stated objective is greater autonomy for the district, not sovereignty or independence. The KLNLF has carried out spectacular actions of ambush, kidnapping for ransom and murder. Its activities have severely hampered power and railway construction projects in the district, a crucial area linking the Brahmaputra Valley and the Barak Valley.
Cong slams its four “renegade” ex-MLAs morungexpress
Dimapur, March 30 (MExN): Driving home the point that in democracy, representatives and leaders (MPs/MLAs) are elected through the power of people’s votes, the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has stated that the “secret and precious people’s votes are not supposed to be misused by the elected leader (MLAs)”. “The basic objective of electing MLAs through people’s votes is to ensure that the given constituency’s aspirations are represented by the elected MLA in a true and genuine character. The MLA stands to channelize all aspects of progress and development, stands for his people’s right, ensure well being of his constituency. Factually, the voters are not casting their votes in favour of an MLA just for the heck of it. In other parlance, any elected member cannot take his people for a ride,” stated a press note issued by R. Paphino, Chairman, Media Cell NPCC.
Says they have no moral right to ask for people’s vote
The NPCC pointed out that “throwing all tall democratic values, ideals and genuine practices to the wind, the four MLAs namely, Kejong Chang, Aloh Konyak, Azheto Zhimomi and Deo Nukhu have completely betrayed the trust and confidence of the people”. It went on to state that the “value and precious votes of the people have been completely undermined and merely reduced to waste papers” and that the “manner in which four MLAs have surrendered their seats is strange and may be considered as the first of its kind in Indian political history”.
The NPCC observed that in Nagaland, contesting as a candidate in General Election was not just a “mere child’s play” and that MLAs “cannot casually afford to resign and go back to the people for re-election within two months unless their personal gain was tremendous”.
In this regard, the NPCC questioned as to what had prompted the four MLAs to give up their seats; why they are coming to contest again when they have already rejected/denounced their MLA seats and “with what justification are they begging the voters to support them again”.
“Factually, the four renegade MLAs have completely lost the moral authority to ask for people’s vote anymore because it is like selling one’s paddy field to someone else for huge amount of money and later on started claiming that the disposed paddy field legitimately belongs to him,” stated the NPCC. The Congress termed this as a “bizarre dramatic political scene” and that their “lust for greed of money and covetous facilities have been fulfilled so their attempt to seek fresh mandate need to be concertedly crushed in the ensuing by-elections in all the four constituencies”. The NPCC urged that this was the “greatest opportunity for the voters of the constituencies to reject the corrupt and immoral leaders so that they are put into the category of persona-non-grata”.