Dimapur, August 24 (MExN): More organizations have condemned the alleged threat to Kelei Zeliang, Secretary to Chief Minister and Secretary Rural Development and his family on August 21. Some unidentified armed people allegedly barged into the bureaucrat’s private residence in Kohima while he was out of station and issued threats to the family, according to reports.
Peren Village Council: The Peren Village Council alleging threat to life on two Zeliang officers – Benjamin Newmai, Commissioner Secretary NLA at his residence on August 11 and Kelei Zeliang, Secretary to Chief Minister of Nagaland and Rural Development on August 21 – has “unequivocally” condemned the two incidents as “inhuman and cowardice” acts.
“This uncivilized and cowardice act of intimation, life threat to innocent and sincere officer by certain anti-social elements deserve to be condemned by all,” the village council stated.
IRCS Peren: The Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) Peren District Branch expressed shock, disturbance and pain at the threat meted out to Kelei Zeliang, who is also a patron of the IRCS. The Branch condemned the culture of threat and intimidation and called upon everyone to condemn such “unwanted” culture.
KDVDBU: The Kohima District VDB Union (KDVDBU) condemned the incident and appealed to the law enforcing agency to immediately apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice.
Leriechazou Panchayat: The Leriechazou Panchayat, Kohima in a release also denounced the intimidation meted out to one of its resident members, Kelei Zeliang. The Panchayat declared that the colony to a great extent has maintained very peaceful co-existence for its ward residents; hence, it is “seriously annoyed” by the incident. The Panchayat vowed to remain steadfast in striving to maintain proper law and order for the security of its members and also to ensure that such “anti-social elements” do not commit such act again in the future.
LSU: The Lamhai Students' Union (LSU), Peren district maintained that “such anti social activities in a Christian state is highly disgraceful and uncalled for.” Attesting that Kelei Zeliang is an honest and upright officer of a rare caliber, the union in a statement asserted, “There is no way that he may have offended anyone knowingly. If at all there had been any misunderstanding, there is no reason to threaten or intimate anyone or any person the way those miscreants behaved which is most uncivilized and despicable.” Any dispute could have been settled in a cultured and civilized manner, it added. The union also appealed to all the right thinking citizens to condemn such “criminal and cowardly” acts.
LDWS : The Lamhai Dungki Women Society insisted that such barbaric act has no place in Naga society and maintained that no civilized society should tolerate such an act. “If an IAS officer in the rank of Secretary to the Government is not safe at home then what about the laymen who do not have any access to security? The Nagas as a whole should condemn this act if our aspiration is to see a peaceful Nagaland,” the women society stated. It informed that Kelei Zeliang hails from Dungki Village and is “a kindhearted” and popular Government officer because of his compassion towards the poor and needy.
NSMEA: In a separate statement, Nagaland State MGNREGA Employees Association (NSMEA) also condemned the incident, noting that luckily Kelei Zeliang, who is also the Commissioner MGNREGA, was not at home that evening.
NZGBA: The Northern Zeme GB Association (NZGBA) has stated such kind of “barbaric act” has no place in the Naga society and no civilized society would tolerate such an act. “If an IAS officer in the rank of Secretary to the Government cannot feel safe at home then what about the laymen who do not have any access to security?” questioned a release from Amezi, NZGBA president. It stated that Nagas as a whole should condemn the act “if our aspiration is to see a peaceful Nagaland.” Kelei Zeliang, who hails from Dungki village under Northern Zeme area, is a “kindhearted Government officer who is very popular for his compassion towards the poor and needy,” the Association added.
VCUPD: Village Council Union Peren District (VCUPD) in a statement reminded that such act of sending miscreant to intimidate and threaten another person is “alien to Naga culture and is not tolerable at all.” Had there been any differences between them it should have been settled amicably but not in the manner that had happened, the union stated, expressing belief that all peace loving citizens of Nagaland will condemn it and make sure such act does not become a social menace in the Naga society.
Kuki Inpi Nagaland: The Kuki Inpi Nagaland (KIN) also condemned the alleged threat meted to Kelei Zeliang, Secretary to the Chief Minister & RD Department, on August 21 at his residence in Kohima. “It is sad to learn the existence of such miscreants in a civilized society like Nagaland. Such action is an act of cowardice and is highly unacceptable in our society,” the Inpi stated in a statement through its Media Cell.
ZCNEI: Zeme Council North East India (ZCNEI) also condemned the “inhuman treatment” to its member for no apparent reason.
Mhainamtsi YC&VC: The Mhainamtsi Youth Club and the Mhainamtsi Village Council also called on all right minded Naga citizens to come forward and condemn such act. The organizations also demanded that the culprits be booked at the earliest to ensure that such incidents do not reoccur.
