DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 16 (MExN): The Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) has suspended its proposed public rally and hunger strike on February 17 in view of the assurance given by the Chief Minister.
The CM had in a letter to the NTAC asked for 2 to 3 more days for him to step down in order to ensure smooth transition of office and in the larger interest of the state. The NTAC however informed that the bandh on movement of government vehicles and government offices remains in force.
In a separate press note, the JCC and the NTAC also stated that the “Naga people were not adverse to ULB election but we were asking for more time to fully understand the nitty gritty of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 and to hold elections after formulating an acceptable policy relevant and beneficial to the public at large.”
It said the Government betrayed the agreement made on January 30, 2017 and subsequently unleashed violence on January 31, 2017 leading to the death of innocent youths and another youth succumbed to injury later. This, the JCC and NTAC said “has made the Naga people to take a strong stand on preservation of human life which demanded the stepping down of Chief Minister TR Zeliang on moral ground.”
It said that despite the last 15 days of bandh and shut down of government offices the chief minister continues to be stubborn and remains adamant to step down.
The NTAC further lamented that despite several representations, the Governor remains a mute spectator in the current crisis.
It expressed surprise that both the Governor and the Chief Minister have left station together at such a critical juncture instead of taking preventive measures for any untoward adverse situation.
“The Governor, as the Constitutional Head of the state, is expected to use his August office in the interest of the people instead of involving in solving political crisis,” the NTAC said. It further cautioned that in case of any eventuality detrimental to the interest of the people, the JCC and NTAC would hold the Governor and the CM responsible.
Responding to the statement of the NPF press and media bureau, the NTAC asked the former to “refrain to brickbat the strength and intellect of the mass-based people’s movement in which the whole great lot of the people of Nagaland are partakers irrespective of age, status, profession and tribe.”
“It is irrefutable under the prevailing circumstance that the Media & Press Bureau, NPF has no more technique or weapon left to defend the mainstay of TR Zeliang ... and therefore has to cook up and resort as to blame ‘some few individuals posing as volunteers of JCC and NTAC’ or that ‘government servants are funding the agitation,’” it added. The NTAC further stated that the “manner of mudslinging the Media & Press Bureau, NPF employees only symbolize disproportionate underdone of intimidation, bereft of sensibility and out of shape for a civilised society.”
Meanwhile, responding to a statement of advocate, Akito Zhimomi, the NTAC said that the advocate is “advised to be sensitive to the values and sentiments of the people instead of questioning the constitution of the NTAC and its activities who are espousing the cause of the people invested on them by the people.”
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