DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 24 (MExN): The NSF team to Golaghat made a formal announcement of the suspension of the AASU imposed economic blockade Friday afternoon, at a press conference held at Hotel Saramati, Dimapur. The press call was attended by advisor Achumbemo Kikon, general secretary O. Wati Jamir, tribunal general Imchatoba Imchen, secretary Maijan Rongmei and the vice president of the DNSU, Akum.
“It was trust-building meeting”, remarked advisor, Achumbemo Kikon of the late night meeting with the AASU at Golaghat. Kikon said that it was marathon meeting lasting nearly four hours from 11:30 pm Friday till 3:00 am Saturday. The blockade was called-off immediately after the meeting, it was informed.
Relaying the message of the AASU, Kikon said that the demand of their Assam counterpart still stands. “AASU is determined to restart the economic blockade if the erring policemen involved are not brought to book”. He also conveyed the acknowledgement of AASU to the Nagaland government’s gesture of announcing monetary compensation to the injured students.
He disclosed that the NSF team watched the video footage of the September 15 incident. “We admit that our IR ‘jawans’ went a little in excess” in their handling of the situation while calling for ingraining seriously the virtue of discipline in the police force.
He said that the NSF does not condone and will not tolerate such excessive behaviour, be it the Nagaland police or any other force. “(The NSF) urge the Nagaland government to immediately give befitting punishment”, to the personnel involved, appealed Kikon.
On the role of the NSF brokering a breather for the Nagaland government, Kikon said: “The role of the NSF… is more of a mediator”. “Based on the age-old relations of the two states…any problem that arises between the two states must be resolved through dialogue”.
He added that the NSF has taken over the responsibility of pressuring the Nagaland government on behalf of the AASU as demanded by them. “Hopefully more forthcoming action will be taken (by the government) to aid the relation of the two neighbouring states”, and further appealed upon the government to not remain complacent.
