Dimapur, June 11 (MExN): The Chakhesang Students’ Union today implied political dealings in the removal of former Naga Students’ Federation speaker Cusayi Lohe from the federation and the union itself. CSU’s speaker Jacob Meru today issued a statement denouncing the “impeachment epidemic in the NSF and CSU” as a reflection of “total political conspiracy hatched by NPF ministers and party workers.”
According to the CSU speaker, the “impeachment epidemic in the NSF and CSU is a revelation of total political conspiracy hatched by the NPF ministers and party workers. Listing out the events that led to the NSF speaker’s removal, the CSU also named one Vevoyi, PS to the Advisor to CM, Thepusayi and John, PS and PA recpectively, to Parliamentary Secretary Chotisu. They were also present in the NSF’s 7th federal assembly on April 28 at Mopungchuket as well as the proceedings of impeachment of Cusayi Lohe, the CSU speaker stated. The “political conspiracy” is proved by a letter of the CSU’s general secretary Esther Rhakho dated April 25, the statement said. The CSU’s letter to Lohe accused the latter of “ongoing allegation on political involvement case” and “bringing disgrace to the Chakhesang community in general and the students’ community in particular. For this, the CSU asked him to resign from the post of Speaker of the NSF.
The same day, the 25th, the CSU’s president, tribunal secretary and finance secretary “signed illegal order terminating” Lohe’s student membership from the Chakhesang Students’ Union, Mero’s statement alleged. The next day, the president and his colleagues wrote to the deputy speaker of the NSF withdrawing the endorsement of Lohe in the post of NSF speaker. “All these actions were done within 24hrs in a great rash” the CSU speaker said. The CSU speaker said he found the proceedings, decisions and actions of the executive council to be unconstitutional.
Referring to CSU’s article 18, Mero said any disciplinary action is required to be referred to the union assembly and on receiving the complaint, the assembly may reject or consider it by serving a show-cause notice. The statement said “It is conventional that show cause should be served to a person and minimum 7 to 14 days are given for reply; the reply may be considered by the union assembly for final decision”.
Stating that the law does not allow ‘hanging someone on mere allegation’, speaker Mero reminded that any citizen who has attained 18 years of age has the right to participate in the election. “This is a fundamental right guaranteed by the constitution of India and no one has the right to stop. While I respect CSU constitution, we cannot ignore the validity of the Constitution of India and the conventional laws,” the CSU speaker said while adding that he did not find the executive council’s decision “in good health.” Further, it was reminded that the CSU does not have any authority to take disciplinary action against NSF executives.
Narrating the consequences of his deferring against the decision, Mero said a no confidence motion was moved on June 6 against him and according to the CSU’s article 22, handed over the chair to the union’s deputy speaker for consideration. “As per constitution I shall reply the allegations within stipulated constitutional provisions,” Mero assured. Mero stated article 22 of the CSU’s constitution stipulating proceedings of a no-confidence motion. On receiving a no-confidence motion charge, an opportunity to defend one is given but within a period of 45 days time, the speaker or deputy speaker must table the matter in the union assembly. Clause (7) of Art 22 of CSU Constitution provides that summoning the union assembly is the prerogative of the speaker or deputy speaker, Mero reminded. “In violation to the said constitutional provisions the union assembly was summoned on 6th June 2009 through the press. Hence, the union assembly conducted on 6th June is illegal,” he stated.
Terming the action of the CSU’s executive council as ‘arbitrary, malafide and suo-motto’ and in total violation of Art 18, 19 (i) and article 22, Mero said the executive council also encroached into the powers of the union assembly’s article 18 clause (1) in making the ‘above malafide decisions’. “The decisions are politically biased and are an act of political conspiracy as is evident from the letter of GS of CSU …” he said. The extraordinary, rash and unconstitutional actions have brought about divisions and unrest, and to “restore peace and understanding amongst the CSU and community, in exercise of Art 19 (ii) I have rejected the executive council orders which are in contravention to the constitution,” he stated.
Mero appealed to the student community to bear with the constitutional provisions and assured that the matter will be minutely examined without prejudice or ill-will and shall be presented to the union assembly for the final decision. “With due respect to senior students and non-union assembly members, it may be noted that only elected CSU representatives from the village and town units and subordinate bodies will be permitted to attend the union assembly, in such matters,” the CSU speaker added.
