Insists that case be handed to customary law
DIMAPUR, AUGUST 27 (MExN): The Eastern Naga People’s Organisation has demanded unconditional and immediate release of the president and joint secretary of the Yimchunger Tribal Council and also sought the entrustment of the case relating to the detention of the public leaders to “customary law.” The duo were detained by Police in Kiphire on August 25 after they were reportedly called for questioning to the case relating to the Zaonger killings on February 8 where seven persons were slain. They are now lodged in Dimapur Central Jail.
A press statement issued by the ENPO president took strong exception to “the undue and uncalled random arrest” of the two and subsequently condemned in strongest terms “the arbitrary act and behaviour of the government and especially the immediate concerned officials over the matter from whose ‘personalised tables’ these spits of fire and violence appear to be spewing to sow seeds of hatred and discord within the family and amongst fellow Nagas.”
“The tribal bodies/Hohos in this tribal state of Nagaland within the Union of India are legitimate embodiments and a platform thereof which represents the popular voice of the people encompassing their inherent territory, history, culture, customs and a vehicle of governance which is and has been the distinct identity of a people as such.”
The statement termed the act of detention as not only an “open and a blatant abuse and a naked assault o the ethos and the pristine characteristics of the tribal populace, but a classic example and a case of contemporary practice of nepotism and discrimination. Further, it appears to be a state-sponsored crime against fellow Naga people.”
The ENPO termed the “abuse and humiliation” meted out on the leaders of a “legitimate and recognized” tribal body as a “glaring example of power abuse and misuse of welfare state machinery against its own subjects.” The statement questioned: “Is this not a case of blatant tribalism in its ugliest form?”
The apex public body of six tribes of Nagaland covering the four districts of Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire and Longleng urged that the matter be handed over to “established bodies such as DBs, GBs court for a process of trial and court proceedings as per customary laws.”
“This privilege is also a legitimate and a constitutional privilege within the tribal state of Nagaland and also a legal privilege provided within the Union of India in her Constitution.”
The statement said Naga customary law is a system where fairness and truth are the essence and the central hallmark of justice. Seeking cooperation of the government as has been with successive governments, the statement said, “We believe and have faith that the State Government would act accordingly for justice and fairness where concerned parties will be given the privilege for an amicable understanding and a peaceful solution in the relating matter.”
Failing which, the ENPO said it would be compelled to act and take upon its own course of decision and action.
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