DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 17 (MExN): A resolution to the current impasse between the Nagaland State Government and agitating groups is yet to arrive, as legislators continue to wait on the arrival of the Nagaland Chief Minister and Governor from New Delhi in order to move ahead with the change in leadership, as decided during a meeting of 38 MLAs on Thursday.
Both the CM and the Governor were in Delhi till late Friday night, with sources informing that they would come back to Nagaland on Saturday.
Governor to take immediate action as per the Constitution
Nagaland State Governor, PB Acharya today met the President of India to apprise him of the prevailing situation in Nagaland.
A press note informed that the President advised that the Governor should go by the letter of Constitution. “In democracy it is the right of the elected Members to choose the leader,” it added.
The Governor also met Prime Minister, Narendra Modi; National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval; Interlocutor for Naga peace talks, RN Ravi, and other leaders during his brief stay in Delhi.
The PM reportedly expressed his concern on the security of the State and progress of the peace talks. The PM expressed his wish for peace and development in the state. The press note informed that the Governor “is reaching Nagaland and will take immediate action as per the Constitution.”
It is also learnt that the meeting between the Chief Minister and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to New Delhi could be held only late Friday evening, with the latter engaged in election campaign trail. The nature of the meeting could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report.
Legislators submit resolution supporting Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu at Raj Bhavan
Meanwhile, legislators in support of the leadership of Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu to be the new Chief Minister of Nagaland on Friday went to meet the Governor at Raj Bhavan to submit a resolution of its support and to stake claim of the government.
With the legislators unable to meet the Governor P.B. Acharya who still had not returned from New Delhi, the resolution was submitted at the Raj Bhavan office.
Source from the NPF camp said the legislators in support of the leadership of Dr. Liezietsu also could not meet Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang today as he was still in Delhi. A meeting among the legislators and the Chief Minister was scheduled on Friday evening.
Sources informed that the legislators are expected to meet the Nagaland Governor and Chief Minister when they return to Kohima from Delhi on Saturday.
“We are only waiting for Zeliang’s return to Kohima from New Delhi and we are hopeful for the smooth transition of power in the interest of the people of Nagaland,” a veteran NPF legislator, who wished not to be identified, told IANS. NTAC Convener, KT Vilie was meanwhile quoted by IANS as stating: “We have partially suspended our agitation in view of the assurance given by the Chief Minister for his stepping down and his appeal to us to give him two to three more days in order to ensure smooth transition of office and in the larger interest of the state.”
“If the Chief Minister fails to return to Kohima latest by Sunday (February 19), the NTAC will have no other choice but to resort to a fast-unto-death public rally in Kohima to force him to resign,” the IANS report further quoted him as stating.
The NTAC still imposed the shutdown of government offices and a ban on plying of government vehicles till Zeliang put in his papers. The government continued to shut down internet and mobile data service to stop the spread of rumours through social networking sites.
