Kohima, September 21 (MExN): The Naga People’s Front (NPF) on Monday criticised K Therie over his allegations against the party, terming them “baseless, politically motivated and misleading,” and asserted that any demand for President’s Rule in Nagaland was “anti-people, undemocratic and unacceptable.”
The party, in a rejoinder issued by its Press Bureau, said it would have ignored the statement of a “habitual party-hopper who has lost all political relevance,” but was compelled to clarify as his allegations were misleading the Naga public.
On the demand for President’s Rule under Article 356, the NPF said Nagaland has an elected popular Government with a mandate of the people, and President’s Rule is applied only when constitutional machinery fails and cannot be used as a shortcut to bring a political solution. It said such a step would not help build the broad and inclusive understanding needed, and reiterated that the party’s commitment is to “pave way” as and when an honourable solution is arrived at.
On the Naga political issue, the NPF said any agreement between the Naga Political Groups and the Central Government is one in which the State Government is not a signatory but plays only the role of a facilitator to push forward the aspirations of the Naga people.
Rejecting allegations that it was a “roadblock” and had a nexus with the NSCN (IM), the NPF said it has always stood for an early, honourable, inclusive, acceptable and lasting solution that protects the true aspirations of the Naga people and includes all Naga Political Groups. It termed the allegation that the party was delaying a solution for electoral gain as “false, baseless and defamatory,” and said the Naga issue is much bigger than any party or election and should not be reduced to electoral politics.
The NPF said it wins on people’s trust, not on any faction’s support, and that its policy of being close to all groups was aimed at bringing them together and creating a peaceful atmosphere.
On Therie’s sudden praise for Dr SC Jamir, the NPF said it was surprising to see him “singing the same tune” as Jamir, recalling that Therie was once all out against Jamir for sacking him from the ministry for opposing the publication of ‘Bedrock of Naga Society’. It said this U-turn exposed his lack of political principle, while adding that the NPF has high respect for senior leaders including Jamir, though respect does not mean the party cannot have different views.
Defending Secretary General Achumbemo Kikon, the NPF said he did not coach or insult anyone and was discharging his duty to clarify the party’s position and defend the rights of the people, and that Therie’s personal attack on him was uncalled for and against Naga tradition.
On Therie’s claim that the Government of India had rejected the Chief Minister’s proposal for a new Interlocutor, the NPF called it his “wild imagination,” saying the Centre has in fact assured to appoint a ministerial-level Apex Committee to take things forward. It said the party stands with the September 12, 2024 resolution passed at a meeting attended by all Naga civil societies, Churches and all elected members including the two MPs, to elevate the matter to the political/ministerial level.
The NPF reiterated its stand for an early, honourable, inclusive and acceptable political solution through democratic and peaceful means, not through imposition of President’s Rule, and said the Naga issue cannot be solved by blaming each other or through shortcut methods but needs political will, unity, inclusiveness and mutual trust.
