DIMAPUR, JANUARY 20 (MExN): The Like Minded Leaders' Forum (LMLF) today demanded the imposition of President's Rule in Nagaland.
A press release from the forum said that in continuation with its firm stand that solution to the Naga political problem should come at the earliest, the LMLF held an emergency consultative meeting in Dimapur on January 19.
The leaders deliberated over the decision of the Government of India and the Election Commission of India to hold elections to the Nagaland assembly on February 27. The Nagaland Government headed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is also an active party to this decision, it noted.
The leaders felt that through its decision to impose the Elections 2023, the Government of India has “undermined and ignored the cry of the Nagaland state and its people for an early Solution to the Naga issue.”
“It is the most unfortunate thing to have happened again with the Nagas. The Forum understands the gravity of the situation. We also appreciate the fact that the Election Commission of India is only following a democratic and constitutional process,” it said.
However, it noted that in order to ensure that elections are conducted free and fair as promised by the Election Commission and its Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, it will be desirable that an impartial administration is at the helm.
The forum therefore urged the Prime Minister and President to immediately intervene and impose President's Rule in the State for smooth conduct of the polls. The forum further urged the Election Commission to assess the ground situation and submit a report to President so that the UDA government in Kohima is dismissed.
“By this decision, the Election Commission will avoid the risk of holding elections in Nagaland wherein arms and ammunition of Naga underground elements will be made use of to influence the voters and ultimately the mandate of the people,” it claimed.
The forum meanwhile urged stakeholders in the Naga peace talks and the Government of India “not to show disrespect to two initial agreements—the Framework Agreement of 2015 and the Agreed Position of 2017.” It urged all three parties to come together to sign a final agreement at the earliest.
Further, the LMLF observed that the unresolved solution for Nagas and the ENPO demand are all yet to be resolved before election “but nothing is on the card at the moment.” “Therefore, PR has become eminent and meanwhile the solution and the ENPO demand can be achieved within the PR period and if so, it is believed that peace shall prevail among the Nagas,” the forum said.
