Dimapur, March 26 (MExN): The Rengma Officers’ Forum (ROF) has strongly condemned the alleged harassment meted out to one of its members Er Thanyalo Kath (SDO, Electrical, Mon) who is also a serving executive member of Rengma Officers’ Forum, by some persons reportedly claiming to be from the GPRN /NSCN.
In a press release on Sunday, the ROF stated that Kath is a diligent government officer with a good antecedent “and like any Rengma, a staunch nationalist at heart.”
“To accuse him of working against our national cause is too big an allegation to shoulder. The Rengma Officers’ Forum strongly feels that the matter could have been resolved amicably by sitting across the table instead of resorting to detention and threatening thereby causing mental trauma to the officer,” the press release stated.
It further said that the Rengmas as a tribe has always been in the forefront in as far as fighting for the national cause is concerned and therefore casting aspersions on his integrity is uncalled for and would be contested by the Rengma Officers’ Forum.
It also called upon all concerned authorities to take the threat, harassment and mental trauma caused to its member with most seriousness and to take prompt necessary action to put things into perspective without prejudice.
The Rengma Selo ZI (RSZ) also condemned the incident and said that in March 23, the incumbent officer “was even forced to pay a hefty sum for his safe passage.” The RSZ is deeply hurt by the actions of the national workers, it said while calling upon all right thinking citizens to condemn such a dastardly act committed against its own brethren. “The RSZ will not shy away to attest on the integrity of its member, Er. Thanyalo Kath and strongly challenge the false allegations levelled against him. As such the RSZ demand a high level probe into the incident and appropriate action taken against the perpetrators of the crime,” it stated in a press release on Sunday.
It also appealed to the Government of Nagaland to ensure the safety and security of its officers wherever they are posted lest public services especially in key sectors such as power be left wanting. While expressing its displeasure upon the miscreant for the unbecoming act, the RSZ also call upon the GPRN/NSCN “to immediately clarify the motive behind the act of its cadre under Mon Region and come clean on the issue failing which the community will be forced to resort to unpleasant confrontations in the days ahead.”
Meanwhile, the Konyak Gazetted Officers’ Union issued a press release, stating that Kath is a sincere government servant who has sincerely served the people of Mon and is known to be cordial and a polite officer. The KGOU stated that the harassment meted out to him is totally uncalled for and unacceptable. “No government servant the people of Mon and the people of the state should be subjected to such inhuman harassment. The KGOU offer solidarity to Er Thanyalo Kath and stand with him in this unfortunate incident,” it stated in the release.
The KGOU appealed to the law enforcing agency and the Konyak Union to settle the issue amicably and let justice be served to the concerned officer at the earliest.
In a separate press release, the Kandi Public Union stated that the Kandi citizens in particular and the Rengmas in general are deeply anguished by the incident.
“The Kandi Public Union vehemently condemns the person concerned and the NSCN (U) group whoever was involved in such inhuman treatment without any valid reason,” it said in the release while demanding that the Government of Nagaland book the culprit and take vigorous action as per the law of the land. It also demanded that the faction return the amount allegedly paid by Kath. It also demanded immediate transfer of Kath and his wife who is also SDO (Electrical) in Mon District, to Tseminyu and Kohima to avoid any unwanted consequences.
