DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 14 (MExN): The Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF) today chimed in on the allegation of PDS rice scam and the subsequent events leading to the arrest of ACAUT members. The party in a press note stated that while dealing with any “suspected mishandlings, mismanagement or malfunctioning that may arise in case of individuals, groups or companies, as the case may be, who are authorized operators on contract; going by the established legal procedure is mandatory.”
It said the recent raids conducted by ACAUT and CCN “has racked up more of clumsy rhetoric devoid of anything worth logical or ethical.” “The style or method that was adopted to carry out the entire exercise itself has manifested volumes of lawless acts of hatred, frustration, threat and trespassing by the very perpetrators, which are simply unacceptable in the eye of the law,” the NPF said. It further stated the proprietor’s action in filing an FIR against those who raided the godowns was “mandatorily warranted.”
It also expressed concern at the shutting down of business establishments in Dimapur “at a time when people from all over the state are thronging in Dimapur for Christmas shopping.” It lamented that “some individuals have chosen to take law into their own hands which has compelled the district administration to take cognizance of such activities.” The NPF said the district administration’s actions “should not be construed as high handedness as it is the bounden duty of the district administration to maintain law and order within the jurisdiction.”
It further claimed that after enactment of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), “every district has been receiving their due quota as per the new NFSA.” “There is hardly any complaint from any district after the NFSA was implemented as it has been distributed fairly well,” it added. People in remote areas of the state will suffer, the NPF stated, “as it appears that the godown raided by some individuals are meant for distribution to other districts, and not meant for Dimapur citizens.” It asked people to refrain from taking law into their own hands and instead approach the appropriate forum.
No group is above law: ZPON
The Zeliang People Organisation Nagaland has meanwhile claimed the rice in question was “to be distributed to Peren and other interior districts” and said that it has now been held up due to “illegal raid and commotion caused by the ACAUT and the concerned citizens of Dimapur after they have fulfilled their quota.” It claimed that “the general masses of people living below poverty line are quite happy and contended with the passing of the NFSA and since its inception the godowns in rural areas are packed with supply of rice above its capacity.” The ZPON said that no group is above the law and urged the organisations concerned in this case “not to play politics with our rice to gain cheap popularity or any other benefits.”
