Kohima, February 7 (MExN): The Angami Public Organisation (APO) on Monday reiterated its resolution to discourage and disallow staging of protest rallies, strikes and imposition of bandhs etc. within its jurisdiction without prior consultation.
In a representation to the Nagaland Chief Secretary, the APO stated that the resolution was adopted on February 3, 1996, to maintain and ensure peaceful atmosphere within its jurisdiction, particularly the State capital Kohima town.
Stating that organising protest rallies was a regular event in the state capital thereby affecting the normal life of its citizens particularly the students and business communities, the APO stated that “many precious lives were lost and properties, both private and public worth crores, had been damaged in the past when such a protest took a violent turn.”
“Public protest and staging a dharna for demanding justice from the government may be a constitutional right of its citizens and no doubt APO acknowledges such a situation and is also prepared to render its full support and cooperation through proper consultation,” the APO representation stated.
The representation also appealed to the public not to misconstrue the statement as “APO is imposing its diktat upon others.”
“Our main objective of adopting such a resolution was to protect and preserve the sanctity of true and vibrant Naga Society from being spoiled and corrupted by few groups of people for self aggrandizement and also to gain cheap popularity in an overnight at the cost of the innocent public,” it underscored.
The APO, therefore, reaffirmed to implement, in letter and spirit, its resolution to discourage any public protest and rallies within its jurisdiction sans proper consultation and understanding. It also requested the concerned authority to refrain from issuing random permission for such cases in future.
