Morung Express News
Kohima | September 14
Following his controversial comments on the floor of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on September 12, Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, C.L. John tendered unconditional apology, today.
The Minister, known for his witty remarks that often has people in splits, courted controversy on the second day of the Assembly session, while responding to a query related to human-animal conflict in Merapani, Wokha district, raised by NPF MLA, Achumbemo Kikon, who represents the 40 Bhandari seat.
In his response, John remarked, “As per my report, elephants have killed only eight humans while humans have killed 12 elephants. So, humans are winning and there's nothing to worry."
The video of the exchange — which was circulated on social media, also showed other legislators reacting in laughter — drew widespread condemnation with commentators terming the remark as “insensitive.”
John returned to the Assembly on September 14 to issue an apology to the families, who have lost lives in the human-animal (elephant) conflict.
Stating that he did not mean any ill intentions, he said, “I apologise for my way of communication and talking, hurting their sentiments while giving my report yesterday.” While tendering his unconditional apology, he said that he deeply regretted his remarks, which he added were “unintentional.”
