Kohima, October 24 (MExN): The Naga People’s Front (NPF) led by Neiphiu Rio in acknowledgement of the Election Commission of India order dated October 17 has extended reconciliation to the “NPF-minority group” led by Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu to join hands with the “majority-NPF party” within a week’s period from issue of this appeal.
This decision was arrived at a Central office meeting of the Rio-led NPF held on October 24 at Hotel Vivor, Kohima.
According to the meeting resolutions signed by Neiphiu Rio and TR Zeliang, Chief Minister, which was released to the media by the NPF Press and Information Cell, the meeting appreciated the decision of the ECI in suggesting to the NPF party to gracefully settle its internal dispute through reconciliation.
Meanwhile, it reviewed the ECI order dated October 17, 2017, in regard to “Dispute Case No. 3 of 2017” and recognized the need to file a Review Petition “since the competent authority of the ECI has been grossly misguided with misrepresentation of facts and statistics by the other NPF dissenter group,” it added.
The meeting also honoured the remarkable progress achieved so far by the Joint Legislature Forum (JLF), in facilitating the Naga Peace talks and in building confidence measures between various Naga Political Groups; and, further, recognized the imperative need to energetically pursue a peaceful resolution to the Naga Political Issue.
In this regard, it resolved to impress upon the Speaker of Nagaland Legislative Assembly to immediately convene the JLF and continue the urgent task of public consultation with Naga civil societies, non-governmental organizations, public forums, Naga Ex-Parliamentarians, etc., toward an amicable settlement of the Naga issue.
On the other hand, the Rio-led party condemned the acts of Dr. Shürhozelie’s NPF group – “for inhumanely exerting physical threats and intimidations to the Speaker, and the Secretary & Commissioner, Nagaland Legislative Assembly; for gheraoing the NPF Central Office HQs., Bayavü Hill, Kohima; and, for resorting to hooliganism, in contravention of Kohima District Magistrate’s order of restraint, and for organizing public dharna and riotous spectacle in front of the New Secretariat Complex, Kohima.”
It also urged the NLA Speaker to immediately expedite disciplinary and legal action(s) against MLAs who had defied Party Whip, in accordance with Anti-Defection Rules.
