Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 21
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio alleged that the Congress was thoroughly misusing the power of central agencies and its high command to break all laid down rules of the model code of conduct. Addressing a hurriedly convened press conference here this afternoon at the NPF Central office, Rio said the NPF and its candidates have become the targets of central agencies, while the Congress party and their candidates are being allowed a “free run and go scot free.”
Rio informed that on February 20, the Assam Rifles raided the Rest House at Chizami at 1340 hours where Medical Minister Kuzholuzo and MLA Deo Nukhu were resting. On being questioned why they were being raided, the Assam Rifles Major said that it was on the instructions of “higher authorities.”
“Later after the Major was pressured to clarify, he contacted his “higher authorities, and he was given permission to leave the VVIPs and release their money worth Rs. 3.10 lakhs,” Rio told the press conference.
Rio stated that SC Jamir’s letter to the Home Minister in the last paragraphs says that only central forces should be used for elections. “The above incident is proof that there is connivance between the Congress and the central forces,” Rio said.
Alleging that the Congress chartered helicopter is being used to drop money received from Delhi, Rio said that on February 16, 2013, the Congress transported a large sum of money in its helicopter to the Aghunato public ground under Zunheboto district. “Since permission was not taken for landing, no election official was present to check the helicopter.”
On the visit of Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Sinde on February 18, Rio said that Sinde was supposed to land at Jakhama helipad on February 18 at 9:30am for a Congress rally at Khuzama. “His helicopter came on schedule and hovered above Jakhama but when they found out that search and frisking party of Police and Election Commission officials were waiting at the helipad, the helicopter suddenly went and landed at Jalukie. Their excuse of poor weather is not true as the weather was perfectly normal,” Rio said.
Rio stated the central agencies are trying their best to exert pressure on officials to be biased in favour of the Congress candidates. He said the Government of India and Union Ministers have been heaping praise upon the Nagaland government for its excellent performance in the past ten years, adding that Nagaland government has received numerous awards from independent agencies and even from Government of India ministries.“But now that it is election season, all of them are criticising the DAN government on development and corruption. The Congress and UPA leaders have no moral right to speak of corruption when they have engulfed the entire country in record breaking scams which have continued to shock the citizens of the country,” said Rio.
The chief minister also stated that just before 2003, the Congress had absolute majority and total control of all agencies with no opposition whatsoever. But the NPF won the mandate of the people only from 2003. In 2008, the Congress imposed undemocratic President’s Rule upon the Naga people and used every available force with a de-facto government to suppress and threaten the Naga people but the NPF was given the mandate of the people.“This time, in 2013, the Congress has used the illegal power of its high command and central agencies to harass and suppress the Naga voice. In 2008 they tried President’s Rule, but were routed by the people. Now they are trying Police Raj, they are bound to get it back from the Nagas,” said Rio.
Rio continued that in this day and age, no place is isolated and the world is aware of everything that is happening in every corner of the globe. He said that Congress has compromised national interests and the spirit of Indian democracy by misusing the country’s institutions to play a biased role in favour of the Congress. However, Rio said, the NPF is confident that “the people are with us.” “The Naga people and the masses are our real high command and we assure every citizen that the cock party will always carry the voice of the Nagas.”
Rio further stated that all Central leaders and union leader have been coming to Nagaland assuring the Naga people that “only the Congress party can bring solution to the Nagas and that they will bring political solution soon.” He said the peace process has been going on for 16 years and the Congress led UPA has been in power in Delhi for 9 years. “What were they doing all these years and why are they promising political solution only during the elections.” This is eyewash and an insult to the Naga people. Their gross inactions over all these years and their awakening at the time of elections are nothing but an attempt to underestimate the Nagas who fought the central hegemony and suffered for decades. Only a non-Congress regime at the centre and at the state can bring lasting peace to the state,” Rio said.
