DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 14 (MExN): The Naga People’s Front (NPF) today stated that politicians “should not hijack social movements,” and alleged that a “few politicians” led by Nagaland State MP to the Lok Sabha, Neiphiu Rio “engineered the present crisis for their selfish political interest.”
A press note from the NPF press and media bureau termed it unfortunate that “people are made to suffer for the past 2 weeks because of the unwanted situation created by some few individuals under the shadow of the Tribal Hohos.”
It pointed to the letter purportedly written to the NPF President by 4 MLAs demanding revocation of suspension order of MP to the Lok Sabha Neiphiu Rio and MLA Imkong L Imchen from the party, as evidence that they are involved in the present turmoil.
“It is indeed shocking that these 4 MLAs have the courage to say that if the suspension order is revoked, the present situation will be normalised. It is interesting to note that these 4 MLA’s have gone to the extent of asserting that if Rio is reinstated as the Chief Minister of the State, the present situation will be contained,” the NPF stated.
It claimed that the present crisis is “not a sudden outbreak out of the ULB election but it was planned long before to destabilise and topple the present government,” while also referring to the division which was witnessed within the party in 2015.
The NPF added that the “present situation is not a collective decision of the Tribal Hohos but pre-planned by few individuals having political interests, and carried out under the banner of the Tribal Hohos.” It appealed to the tribe Hohos “not to allow any political party or political desperados to destroy the sacred institutions of our revered tribal organisations.”
The NPF expressed hope that “with the revelation of all these facts citizens of Nagaland can understand the intention of these people and good sense will prevail among our people.” It further termed imperative that the people “directly tell these people not to play with the lives of the people or careers of tens of thousands of our students for their selfish political gains anymore.”
NPF says Centre requestedRio to diffuse Nagaland situation
Meanwhile, the NPF, in a separate press statement, informed that Nagaland MP, Neiphiu Rio was “specifically requested to diffuse the situation in Nagaland so as to bring normalcy without delay” during a meeting with the Interlocutor to the Indo-Naga peace talks, RN Ravi and National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval.
“Rio was told in no uncertain manner that the question of changing the present leadership in Nagaland does not arise and that he, as an MP, should work hand in hand with Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang to ease the tension,” the NPF added.
Meanwhile, it further reported the MP as having responded that “he could not do much but was told that there have been reports from various quarters that he was behind the movement.”
The NPF quoted “BJP sources” as having confirmed that the “Union Home Minister had also indicated to Rio that he must do all he can to ease the weeks-long social unrest.”
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