Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 10
The Naga People’s Front (NPF) on Thursday reaffirmed to continue to uphold the inherent rights of the Naga people and also protect the special provisions granted to Nagas under Article 371(A) of the Constitution.
Newly appointed NPF Spokesperson, Achumbemo Kikon interacting with media-persons here made the affirmation and at the same time asserted to promote and propagate women’s rights.
Lamenting the unfortunate turn of events during the proposed conduct of elections to urban local bodies with 33% women reservation, Kikon said the Naga people and civil societies have to be reasonable as following their mounting pressure the highest office in the State, Chief Minister TR Zeliang had stepped down.
“On the part of the government and the party, we thought we will protect the sanctity of Article 371(A) and keeping that in mind election was announced, however, following the mounting pressure from the civil societies, the government declared the election as null and void,” he stated.
“… We are hopeful that in the days to come Nagas as a whole will come to terms and we will be able to sail through with their confidence.”
In the past “the civil societies used to point that undergrounds should not threaten people,” but considering the recent movement of the civil societies, “it is apparent that the civil societies and public have become more violent than the underground groups and it has to be discouraged,” the NPF Spokesperson added. He said expression of public should be in a democratic and non-violent way.
He further expressed that customs and traditions should not remain static but change with times.
Since the highest office in the form of Chief Minister has already “sacrificed”, the Naga people, he said, should be reasonable in putting forth their demand.
Further, Kikon maintained that with the installation of the new government but under the same party, the principles and objectives of the government and party remain the same as it is just a change of guard.
“We are fortunate to have a seasoned and veteran politician at the helm of affairs and NPF is confident that the State is in the safe hands and we will continue to pursue election manifesto promised to the Naga people. The CM and his team will continue to make all efforts, specially the priorities in the Naga peace process,” he said.
On the presumptions of differences of leadership between Dr. Shurzholie and TR Zeliang, which appeared in the local dailies, Kikon clarified that there is no leadership tussle and no differences between the government and the party.
“Party president, Dr Shurhozelie who is now the CM is fully in command of the State,” he said, adding that the NPF also has high respect for former CM Zeliang.
“His (Zeliang’s) political career has not come to an end but he has voluntarily stepped down in order to create peace and tranquillity in our state… Zeliang has a long way to go and the NPF legislators might have expressed the sentiments looking at the future but for now Dr. Shurhozelie is at the helm of affairs,” Kikon stated referring to the statements made by NPF legislators in Peren district recently.
On some organisations and individuals propagating “Nagas of Nagaland organisations and solution”, he said NPF has its own Constitutions and the aims and objectives states “to work for unity and integrity of Naga people, by integrating all contagious Naga inhabited areas under one administrative roof and also to provide protection to all ethnic groups who are indigenous inhabitants of Naga areas.”
NPF stands for entire Nagas wherever they are, he affirmed, adding “If we articulate Nagas of Nagaland, we will be going back and it will be too unfair on our part, so we should think and see beyond the horizon.”
