Dimapur, Dec 28 (MExN): Strongly reminding that violence begets violence, and these are never solutions to any problem, the state government today reasserted its bounden duty to ensuring safety and protection of the people and that the government seeks to maintain “balance” in its policy vis-à-vis all underground groups. The government has asserted that the stand would be pursued ‘in spite of all odds’. The assertion comes in reaction to news reports of the NSCN-K issuing threats to Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio over matter of internal security as well as on allegations of NSCN-IM General Secretary Th. Muivah being provided with security by Nagaland government.
“Running the affairs of the state, it is the bounden duty of the state government to ensure safety and give protection to everybody; it is in this context and also in compliance with the instruction of the central government to give all necessary protection to the duo leaders (NSCN-IM Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and Muivah) that the state government announced that it would provide all necessary securities to them when they come to Nagaland” a rejoinder from Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio clarified. It also observed ironical that “persons like Kughalu Mulatonu, demanding from the state government and Government of India to provide adequate security to them while at the same time warning them not to provide security to others”. (Kughalu Mulatonu is member of Ceasefire Supervisory Board, NSCN-K).
The Chief Minister’s office also reasserted an activist stand on certain counts, such as the ‘Quit Notice’ served o the Tangkhul community by the NSCN-K. “The state government, the civil societies and the churches have been striving hard all these years for better understanding, reconciliation and unity of the Nagas at all levels and to a great extent the same has been achieved in more ways than one” the rejoinder stated with the assertion that there is a peaceful atmosphere throughout the state “except the unfortunate factional clashes”. When sincere efforts are being made to bring about peace in the state, serving ‘quit notice’ to any Naga community at this juncture is “very unfortunate”, the CMO reiterated.
Further, it was reminded that the Chie Minister of Nagaland is not a factional leader” of any particular underground group but a duly elected leader through democratic process, with the mandate of the people to serve them. Hence, the matter of patronizing one underground faction against the other is ‘out of question’ and does not arise at all. “It is the policy of the state government to maintain its balance and to continue to play its role of a facilitator by adopting its declared policy of equi-closeness to all underground groups which are no longer banned organizations as declared by the Government of India. We can better appreciate each other’s viewpoints and bring out better understanding and harmony which would help facilitate in finding an acceptable and honorable solution to the 6-decades old political problem of the Nagas. The DAN government has a very clear vision for our people and we will continue to pursue it in spite of all odds” it asserted.
The CMO has called against misleading or confusing the people through ‘twisting’ of “things” to suit vested personal interests or to serve ‘sinister designs’. “It is high time that the Nagas come together and start working with open mind for the good of our people and not otherwise. Let us not forget the fact that ‘violence begets violence’ and threat and bloodshed never ever solves any problem” the CMO added.
