Bonnie Konyak
October 3
Following a chain of violent incident taking place across the State, today’s gruesome encounter in the State Capital Kohima which killed four persons in broad daylight will give a strong case to those who are advocating the imposition of President’s Rule in the State. Former Finance Minister in the DAN government and ex-NPF MLA K. Therie after having failed to topple the Neiphiu Rio Ministry has now shifted attention to Delhi lobbying hard for the imposition of Article 356 citing a “breakdown of constitutional machinery in a State”. Significantly given the fluid political situation, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is away in Bangkok attending the Northeast Investment Week in the Thai capital.
Mention may be made here that the Governor had already turned down an earlier demand for PR pointing out then that he did not see substantial reason to apply Article 356 in Nagaland. Governor Shankaranarayanan stuck to the rationale that he “will go according to the Constitution”. But recent developments within the State appear to have strengthened the case of Therie and those advocating Central Rule ahead of state assembly elections early next year.
Therie disclosed to The Morung Express that the Central Congress party was not against the imposition of Article 356. However it was the allies that needed to be convinced who were maintaining that there was no real reason according to the coverage in the national news papers to qualify for such an imposition. Therie said that they had met up with other political parties like to the DMK and the CPM and was trying to ‘educate’ them of the special case of Nagaland while informing political parties in New Delhi that the situation in Nagaland was not favourable for holding elections.
Speaking from Delhi, Therie expressed immense concern for the deteriorating situation in Nagaland. He spoke out on the deteriorating law and order and the ‘indifferent attitude’ over the numerous episodes of violence in the State saying ‘our villages are burning’ while the people were fighting for party tickets and worried about election. He was referring to the razing of Jalukie Zangdi and Inavi village at Intangki by the NSCN (IM) which according to him was the most recent instance of the break down of law and order in the state invariably adding weight to his argument with the Central government. Briefly touching on the NSCN (IM) diktat against Goa Governor Dr. S C Jamir, Therie communicated regret over the turn of event saying “Do you think this is in the interest of the Nagas?”
Substantiating reasons for the imposition of Article 356, Therie said that President Rule would ensure the presence of a neutral government and thereby create a conducive atmosphere so that all the factions can come to the negotiating table without the hurdle of a “patronizing government”. Referring to the NSCN (K), he said that one faction of underground was not coming in for negotiation because of the patronization of the other and therefore a neutral government was necessary for reconciliation, Therie opined.
It may be mentioned that K Therie, Vatsu Meru and Khutovi had set off for Delhi on September 23 to meet with the Congress high command with intentions of meeting United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Home Minister Shivraj Patil and impress upon them the urgency for “change” in what was described as a “strife-torn situation”. Therie also disclosed that another issue in the agenda was the setting up of a ‘Ceasefire Fund” for the Undergrounds to stop the factions from collecting taxes from the people and thereby relief the burden of the people. “We have to do justice to our people” said Therie.
Meanwhile, a news report carried in the Telegraph today confirmed the move of Therie and others demanding imposition of President’s rule in the state before the elections. The report stated that the “Congress has adopted a wait-and-watch policy over the party’s position in the hill state”. The report also made the startling disclosure quoting an AICC leader who said “Rio was willing to join the Congress and while the central leadership was not opposed to this plan, the state unit was unwilling to accept his leadership”. The report also stated that the “Chief Minister has of late lost support from sections within his party”.
