Mariani MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi. (File Photo)
Calls for reconciliation, Suggests peace meetings to diffuse situation
Longrangty Longchar
Mokokchung | June 2
The Mariani MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi, who has been embroiled in the whole controversy surrounding the May 24 incident, today termed the incident at Mariani as “unfortunate” and admitted that he, is “sorry” for it.
Speaking exclusively to The Morung Express today through the telephone, the Mariani Congress MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi, however said that the incident happened because the Saringyim villagers allegedly took law into their own hands and “kidnapped” two tea workers and physically tortured them.
“It is unfortunate and I am sorry for that (the May 24 incident),” said Kurmi. He, however, asserted that there were “wrongs committed from both sides.” He said that he had gone to the police station on May 24 and that the “fighting” resulted because the Mariani Police Station officials could not provide first aid to the two tea workers, who had been brought to Mariani by the Mangkolemba SDPO and SDO. He said that the situation went out of hand and the unfortunate incident happened.
The MLA pointed out that “people should not take the law into their own hands.” While, he did not place the blame on either the Naga or the Assamese (Adavasi) people alone, he called for reconciliation saying that both the Naga and the Assamese people have done “wrongs” on each other.
On being asked as to how the situation could be diffused, the Mariani MLA said that it would be good if there is “peace meeting” between the NGOs of Assam and Nagaland and admit each other’s fault. He reiterated, about five times, that the fault lies not only with the Assamese but with the Nagas as well and that “wrong” has been done by both sides.
“…our people are feeling guilty, but you should also feel guilty…the wrong has not been done by our people only, the wrong has been done by your people also. People should not be physically tortured (about the two allegedly kidnapped laborers)…,” the MLA reiterated during the 18 minutes interaction with The Morung Express today.
Conveying a message to “all my loving of people of Nagaland,” Kurmi said “we should not have enmity in our mind and we should live in brotherhood.”
