Kohima, September 4 (MExN): The Naga People’s Front, in a press statement, has condemned the “sad and despicable incident” that led to the death of late Kivika “in the custody of the Quick Response Team (QRT) of the Kohima Village Youth Organization (KVYO) on August 31, 2012”. The Government and its law enforcing agencies, according to the statement, wasted no time in taking the perpetrators into custody and contained the volatile situation.
On the other hand, with timely intervention and sincere initiative of the concerned Tribal Organizations (Kohima Sumi Hoho and Kohima Village Council) and other leading NGOs, no untoward incidents occurred in Kohima and, consequent upon these collective tireless efforts, the matter in concern could be settled amicably. The NPF has thanked late Kivika’s father, Mr. Kanito of Kilitomi Village, for forgiving the defaulters without any reservation. Nagas at this juncture of transition need to emulate the benevolent Kanito, said NPF.
Contrary to this, “some misguided, unscrupulous youth switched to rampage, vandalizing, destroying properties of which the Niathu Resort, Noune Resort and T.K. Service were the main targets, hurting and causing physical injuries to people in the process,” said the NPF press statement, going on to explain that though the lightening bandh on September 1 was intended to be a democratic and peaceful way to protest Kivika’s death, “leaders, representatives and peace loving members from all tribes and communities were engaged in one way or the other to maintain calm and understanding, while at the same time condemning the unfortunate incidents of Kohima and Dimapur as well”.
The ruling NPF as such took the position that the “Dimapur rampage thus, cannot be termed as Tribal or communal conflict”. “Thus, the civil society and NGOs have really proved their worth by vigorously striving to uphold the social and political order to ensure a peaceful atmosphere, conducive for coexistence which has, in the eyes of all, proved their contributions.”
Justifying civil society action, the NPF statement reiterated that “civil societies are very much part of the Government as enshrined in the 16 Point Agreement (Local Self Govt.) and empowered to deal with disputes and cases involving breaches of customary laws and usages. This, as per the NPF, “clearly legalizes the service of the people where and when it may be necessary.”
NPF has stressed that “the NPCC, while condemning the wrongful deeds on one hand and accusing and blaming the DAN Government and the Chief Minister Mr. Neiphiu Rio, on the other, is nothing short of trying to politicize the unfortunate incidents that took place in Kohima village and Dimapur area.”
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