Dimapur, November 5 (MExN): The Lotha Students Union (LSU) has extended its strong endorsement to stand taken by the Lotha Hoho (LH) on the dismissal of Mmhonlumo Kikon from Parliamentary Secretary over “possible connection to the oil issue and the PIL filed by the Lotha Hoho.”
While the union has no interest to meddle in the “political affairs” of the State Government, if Kikon sacking was related to the PIL filed by LH, the action is “extraordinary and unprecedented,” stated a press note issued LSU President Amos Odyuo and General Secretary T Phyobemo Kikon adding that Hoho has filed the same, not Kikon.
It, however, agreed with the contention by Chief Minister Office that a Minister, Parliamentary Secretary and Advisers hold office during the pleasure of the Chief Minister
However, LSU accused the State Government of “using unscrupulous methods” to coerce the LH to withdrew the PIL from the the first the day on of filing the Public Interest Litigation (PIL)
This is an affront on the democratic principles and negates the constitutional rights of the Citizens, it added.
“Any citizen of the country is at liberty to file a PIL if they feel that their rights, entitlements or public interest has been subdued or infringed by private or public decisions which go against established constitutional rights.”
The right approach for the State to confront the PIL would be within the walls of the honorable court, and not elsewhere, LSU pointed out.
LSU further maintained the PIL filed by the LH is not an overnight decision and “series of representations and requests” has been submitted to the State Government to rectify the anomalies in the NPNGR 2012” and to review its decision in awarding permit to the controversial and “inexperienced firm” called MOGPL.
“The Lothas believed that its resources which has been preserved for centuries cannot be left to blunder by a firm that has no resources, manpower, or operational skills in petroleum industry,” it said.
The Union, however, alleged that instead of addressing the genuine concerns of the people, the government choosed to “forcefully launch the exploration process by imposing repressive 144 CrPc.”
“The LH filed the PIL only after exhausting all other possible means.”
In this regard, the Union cautioned the government not to “mislead the general public with false propaganda nor to induce its citizens monetarily or otherwise as not all citizens would succumb to such inducement and false propaganda.”
Citing media report about the alleged money invested by MOGPL for the project at Changpang and Tssori areas of Wokha district, LSU further sought clarification from both the MOGPL and the State government as to “where the money has been invested as there are no visible signs of investment being made by MOGPL in Wokha district.”
