Karaiba Chawang
December 16
KOHIMA (MExN): The Ninth Session of Tenth Legislative Assembly deliberated at length on the prevailing situation in the State with the Opposition Congress accusing the ruling government of failure to maintain law and order and shifting the buck to NGOs and other agencies.
Both the treasury and opposition benches also tried to give their definition of political crimes arising out of the political struggle and the law and order problem perpetrated by anti-social elements.
Senior Congress Legislator K.V Pusa, who initiated the debate on the prevailing law and order in the state, cited some incidents to substantiate the charges. This included the economic blockade at Noklak, assassination of Lt Hesso Mao, former DGP, attempt on the life of Xavier Rutsa, a correspondent of Nagaland Post, killing of taxi driver in Manipur, the Dr. Maongwati case, threats meted out to the investigation officer on bogus appointment case, abduction of Pastor and others from Pfutsero by NSCN-IM, burning of truck in Tuensang, demands note served to Dr. Sherhozelie Liezietsu and other prominent citizens of Kohima Village.
Pusa charged the ruling DAN government by stating that the government is complacent over the prevailing situation in the State and pointed out that people were living under constant fear psychosis due to threat and intimidation from various antisocial elements.
“Are we not the same people who promise peace and prosperity and political settlement?” Pusa asked.
The Congress legislator also said that when the law and order is literally enforced by NGOs and other civil society groups on many occasion, the DAN government should be ashamed of dereliction of duty.
Takatiba Masa, another Congress Legislator maintained that there is a clear sign of ‘shifting the buck’ to ‘other agencies’ as far as tackling law and order situation by the DAN government is concerned. “There are certain crimes, which are political in nature. However, rampant robbery, killing, kidnapping, raping and extortion cannot be termed as political crimes. It is the break down of law and order”, Masa said.
Stating that the DAN government is shying away from the issue, Taka Masa said that it is not the duty of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group to restore law and order, but the state government.
Congress MLA, Chuba Chang also participating in the debate said that the situation in the state appear normal but it is not so.
Leader of opposition, I. Imkong in his speech questioned the Chief Minister’s recent statement asking the people to be ready for any eventuality.
Imkong further said that the DAN government should play the role of an active felicitator, but if the later resorts to passive role it will be too dangerous for the State and its people.
