DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 12 (MExN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has stated that it was constrained to clarify what it termed as the distorted statements on the recent seizure of huge consignment of liquor at Tuli on 02 Oct 2012 by 31 Assam Rifles. “The NPCC indictment of NPF MLA from 26 Aonglenden A/c Toshipokba Longkumer is not a mere allegation, when even a child in Tuli and Mokokchung knows it”, the NPCC Media Cell stated while pointing out that the following questions will have to be answered instead of issuing distorted rejoinders and counter rejoinders by the supporters of Toshipokba, MLA.
“Did the NPCC expose after 6 days refreshed the memory of one of the accused called Tia into writing an apology letter to the MLA? Does this apology letter absolve the MLA?” the NPCC wanted to know. Further if the smugglers used to tail VIP convoys, the NPCC wanted to know as to how come the vehicle (Bolero-NL 07 9951) belonging to General Secretary NPF of 26 Aonglenden A/c was also laden with liquor. “Does it mean that the General Secretary himself is a habitual liquor smuggler?”
Further was it a mere coincidence that majority of the 19 arrested were from Ungma village, the village of the MLA, NPCC questioned. On the press statement of NPF 26 Aonglenden A/c trying to drag the name of Dr SC Jamir, the NPCC stated that this was a case of “red herring and it will better for them to question as to why their own General Secretary’s vehicle was laden with liquor in the first place rather than highlighting the modus operandi of the so called liquor smugglers from the time of Dr Jamir’s Chief Ministership”.
The NPCC also stated that the “appalling silence of the influential bodies in the state that are totally against lifting of the Prohibition Act is also questioned”. Further, the role of the media in its reluctance to publish the name of the political leader by just mentioning a ‘political leader belonging to a political party in the state,’ set the course for more suspense and curiosity among the readers and the public, the NPCC stated.
The NPCC stated that as the main opposition party it will not remain silent spectator to the evil actions perpetrated by the elected lawmakers. “The cover up attempt by the supporters of the MLA to befool the public in the form of press rejoinders with distorted statements will not serve the purpose as the present day public is well informed and such actions will only invite more scorn to the reputation of their leader already sullied by the image of abetting liquor smuggling”.
