Dimapur, December 28 (MExN): Apropos the advertisement which appeared on December 23 from one Abdul Sattar Borbhuyan under the heading “Gratitude”, the Lhothavi Village Council has issued a statement rebutting the content of the advertisement as misleading and a “malicious attempt to subvert the truth”.
It may be mentioned here that one Abdul Sattar Borbhuyan claiming to be the owner of the elephant had expressed gratitude to the NSCN (IM) for releasing the tusker from the clutch of one Abdul Hafiz. Bhorbuyan alleged that Hafiz had “illegally retained” the elephant for more than a year.
In a rejoinder on Thursday, the Lhothavi VC claimed that Borbhuyan had leased the elephant to Hafiz and Toniho of Lhothavi Village, Dimapur. Borbhuyan has received a huge sum of money as advance payment from Toniho, the village council alleged and argued that the elephant was under the rightful custody of the lessee.
Accusing Borbhuyan of wanting to release the tusker without fulfilling the contract obligation, the LVC further expressed regret that the NSCN (IM) taking away the elephant was “condemnable” and “unbecoming of responsible national workers”.
The Village Council in this connection submitted an appeal to the Ato Kilonser of the NSCN (IM) seeking early redressal of grievances and added that it was “waiting for just and amicable settlement in the larger interest of the society”.
Allegation of LVC does not hold any water: NSCN (IM)
Meanwhile, the NSCN (IM) has rejected the allegations of the Lhothavi Village Council stating that it “does not hold any water”.
The grim reality regarding the controversy, according to a statement from the NSCN’s Ministry of Kilo Affairs, is that Abdul Sattar (the owner) and Abdul Hafis (the lessee) had a contract agreement on the elephant for a period of 6 months.
However, even after the expiry of the agreement date and lapse of 1 year and 10 months, the lessee failed to return the tusker, it informed. In this connection and in pursuance with the receipt of a complaint from the owner seeking justice, an enquiry was initiated to ascertain the same, the statement added.
During the thorough investigation, it was learnt that the elephant was confiscated by Toniho of Lhothavi Village and kept under his custody, the Kilo Affairs Ministry claimed.
On September 29, 2017, the Asalu Region and the UT-1 of the NSCN (IM) reached Lhothavi village to seize the elephant but found around 20 village youth armed with daos and spears thus, preventing the tusker from being seized, the statement further claimed.
In view of the above, the GPRN maintained that the aggrieved person received the deserved justice.
The Ministry of Kilo Affairs further asserted that the “blatant attack” on the GPRN is damaging to the Naga National movement and in this regard, urged the Lhothavi Village Council to respect and refrain from making unverified allegations.
.JPG)
