Dimapur, Oct 25 (MExN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee today strongly reacted to the statements made by NPF president and Minister for Planning & Coordination and Urban Development, Dr. Shürhozelie, who, while talking about the prevailing situation, said that law and order is a State matter but “killing among the underground factions do not come under law and order subject
A press release issued by NPCC President Hokheto Sumi stated that if the underground factions’ fighting and killing is not a law and order problem, then the Centre’s intervention may come and the security forces will have to fight the undergrounds by abrogating the ceasefire. Drawing out the irony of the Ministers statement, the Congress leader stated that If killing of innocent people during the underground clashes ‘requires political and human approach’, then deployment of State police like IRB to affected areas to save the situation is not necessary since it is not a law and order problem. At this juncture, Dr. Shürhozelie should spell out his formula of ‘human approach’ to restore normalcy in the State.
Stating the Congress Party’s role in the peace process, Hokheto stated that it was the consistent stand of the Congress Party that the different political parties should work for Unity of all the underground groups so that the fratricidal killings among the factions would stop. Killing within brothers will not achieve anything, Hokheto said and added that the Naga political problem requires the involvement of every Naga people and mentioned that the wisdom of the Congress leaders in the State could prevail upon the Central leaders and during the visit of Prime Minister late Narasimha Rao, he declared the Naga issue as a ‘Political issue’ and after the formation of the UPA Government in the Centre the ‘Naga political negotiation’ was elevated to ‘Ministerial Level’, the release added.
Talking about the pre-election promises made by the NPF leader, Hokheto stated that Dr. Shürhozelie had been a key player in forming many Regional Parties in the State and that being the present president of NPF, he talked of his concern for Naga political issue like bringing solution within three-months if voted to power. Hokheto pointed out that Shurhozelie may be an expert in advising others with his views when it comes to Naga issue but at the same time advised the NPF President to be more careful with his utterance of words.
Taking a dig at the Minister’s remark about the Naga issue who appealed to the political parties ‘not to forget political and human approach to the Naga political problem’, The Congress president again pointed out that on the night of 15th October, 2006, Shurhozelie, while talking to a Naga leader in Manipur, alleged that “it is the Congress who has been encouraging the Khaplang faction to terrorize certain tribe and trying for furtherance of their coming election.” Hokheto charged Shürhozelie of playing a double role by falsely implicating the Congress Party and on the other side expecting political parties to have proper understanding. The Congress President further asked the Minister to talk according to his true colours if the NPF president has the desire to bring Unity amongst the Naga people.
