Law enforcing agency urged to book culprits at the earliest
Dimapur, August 22 (MExN): Several organizations today condemned the threat meted out to Rural Development Secretary, Kelei Zeliang and his family by unidentified people on August 21 at their residence in Kohima.
SZOK: According to a statement from Southern Zeme Organization, Kohima (SZOK), four people with concealed weapon barged into the private residence of the Secretary and asked for him. The family members responded that the Secretary was out of station. However, when the family inquired about their visit, they threatened and warned them with dire consequences “even to the extent of killing him (Kelei) and destroying the family properties if he does not tender an apology to their boss without revealing the name,” the statement alleged. It maintained that the act was carried out to “create misunderstanding and confusions within” and also to derail the hard earned peace and unity among Naga community. SZOK further appealed to those responsible to refrain from such “senseless” act in future.
AZSU (AMN): The All Zeliangrong Students’ Union Assam, Manipur & Nagaland (AZSU AMN) in a press release has termed the act “barbaric and uncivilised in the modern society, which has brought shame and shock to the Naga Society.”
NLSF: The Nagaland Law Students’ Federation (NLSF) in a statement maintained, “Such senseless act should not be practiced by any good citizens of the state when the people yearn for peace and tranquility. Such act should be condemned by one and all.”
NRDSA: The Nagaland Rural Development Service Association (NRDSA) asserted the “dastardly demonstration of intimidation and threat to life is an act of cowardice which is unacceptable and intolerable in our society.” It conveyed support and solidarity to the RD Secretary.
NSVDBA: The Nagaland State VDB Association (NSVDBA) meanwhile expressed shock at the level of “degradation of the said ‘boss’ who stooped so low in demanding apologies at gun point” and demanded to know who that boss is. “If the perpetrator or the boss is a true Naga, we urge him to proudly declare his identity before the general public to avoid further scapegoat,” the VDB body stated in a press note. As an apex body of all the 1238 villages in the State, NSVDB appealed to the law enforcement agency to immediately identify and book the culprits. Further, it urged the village authorities not to protect those miscreants in any manner whatsoever. The Association also urged the department of RD to consider imposing sanctions to those villages if found giving shelter to such miscreants.
RD Department: The officers and staff of Rural Development department along with all the 1238 VDBs of the State have also extended solidarity with the Secretary, Kelei Zeliang. “Such acts of intimidation and threat is unacceptable to anyone in the Naga society and we, the Rural Development fraternity in particular, stand in solidarity against anyone, regardless of tribe, village or clan or organization to whom he or she belongs who indulge with low degradable action towards any member,” asserted a statement issued by Metsubo Jamir, Director, Rural Development. The department also offered prayer and support to the Secretary.
ZBN: Zeliangrong Baudi Nagaland (ZBN) in a press release expressed shock at “such undesirable situation” created against its member. “Such uncivilized act of threatening life is unacceptable which indeed is not the Naga culture and should be stoutly condemned by every peace loving and right thinking citizens,” it affirmed.
ZPON: Zeliang Peoples’ Organisation, Nagaland (ZPON) has said a similar incident occurred some days back with another Zeliang officer. “We are deeply disturbed by such acts carried out by anti-social elements targeting officers from a particular community. These officers are peace loving people and bonafide members of the Zeliang community without any criminal records,” it said in a press release. “The officers are carrying out their duties as Government officers under the Government of Nagaland and if there are issues to be addressed, the same may be taken up with the competent authority through proper channel for redressal.” The organization asserted it will not sit and watch when its members are intimidated and threatened inside their own homes without rhymes or reasons.
ZSUN: Zeliangrong Students' Union Nagaland (ZSUN) maintained that such action is unbecoming in a civilized modern world. The union called for a peaceful society, a progressive and prosperous nation, while urging all right thinking citizens to condemn the act.
The above organizations have urged the law enforcing agencies to book the culprits at the earliest and award befitting punishment.
