The NPCC’s statements demanding the resignation of the Home Minister are unwarranted and have no basis. Already the President of the NPF has given a clear statement on the matter and it should have rested there, however it seems the NPCC has not understood or is refusing to understand.
The NPF rejects the false allegations against the Home Minister as these allegations are without any basis and are cheap personalised attacks that are unbecoming of a responsible national party like the Congress. On the matter of the unfounded allegation of fraudulent withdrawal in police departments, the High Powered Committee and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly have found no misappropriations but only procedural lapses in the matter. The case of missing arms and ammunitions from the police department are under serious investigation and appropriate action will be pursued as per the provisions of law. Already police persons including senior police officers have been placed under suspension by the government. To accuse the Home Minister on the issue of arms and ammunition is totally unfounded and exposes the ignorance of the NPCC on mater of public importance. Moreover, the NPCC’s inaccurate statement that the Home Minister was arrested in Kathmandu is also untrue and the matter was resolved within a few hours and the Home Minister had returned to New Delhi on the same afternoon. It was a matter in which the electronic media had blown the incident out of proportion and made a mountain out of a molehill. It is unfortunate that the NPCC continues to act in a manner that is not expected from a responsible national party by constantly making personalised attacks instead of focussing on issue that are of public importance.
On the issue of the Joint Legislators Forum (JLF), the NPF will not be drawn into the controversy created by the NPCC, as it is a forum that comprises all sixty honorable members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. In fact, the NPF has appreciated the efforts and initiatives of the JLF and we have observed that the landmark decisions of the JLF are significant and historic. The JLF needs to be congratulated by all sections of society for its several initiatives and the offer of all sixty MLAs to resign and pave way in the greater interest of Naga society. The JLF needs to be appreciated and congratulated for meeting all sections of Naga people including civil societies, national workers belonging to various organisations and even former elected Members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. The JLF’s joint efforts in meeting with the Government of India and other Central leaders deserve the appreciation of the people as never before has all elected Members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly ever come together under a common voice and banner for the greater cause of Naga society. The NPF is hopeful that all sections of the people will take full advantage of the unity that has been displayed in letter, spirit and action by the elected representatives of the Naga people. We are also hopeful that the Government of India will seize the opportunity and listen to the voice of the people. At this juncture, it is best if political parties rise to the occasion and strengthen the JLF instead of trying to score political points against each other by focussing on the side issues instead of concentrating on the core issue. It is the prerogative and privilege of the sixty elected Members who form the JLF to voice their feelings and opinions on the JLF and it may be destructive if others from the outside start speaking on behalf of the Members of the JLF. The NPF understands this privilege and will respect it, while extending our appreciation to all sixty Members for actions which have shown true spirit of sacrifice and dedication to the people.
The NPF is committed in our political commitment to pave way for any alternative arrangement that may come about from a negotiated political settlement that is honorable and acceptable to the people. This political commitment is not new and is enshrined in our manifesto and we have reiterated this political commitment at every given opportunity. The NPCC may not worry if NPF members will resign or not, it is a commitment given to the people and the Indo-Naga political issue is at the top of our agenda. We are ready to make any sacrifice for the cause of bringing lasting peace to our land.
In the matter of women’s reservations, the public are fully aware that the DAN Government in its first term had approved for women’s reservations but when it came to implementation of the same, the Mokokchung experience and the rejection of women’s reservations by the civil societies, the mass based organisations and tribal hohos made the Nagaland Legislative Assembly do a rethink and pass a resolution that was in line with the demand of the civil societies. It would perhaps be in right perspective if the women groups have discussions and deliberations with their respective tribal hohos and civil societies instead of taking to the streets, which is not a character associated with Naga women. The Government is willing to listen to the collective voice of the people and the suggestions of the mass based organisations and tribal hohos. The solution will not be found in the streets but across the table.
NPF Press Bureau
