DIMAPUR, MARCH 30 (MExN): Former Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president, K Therie on Saturday appealed Nagaland Governor to resolve the issue of Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization (ENPO) by sitting across the table instead of leaving the matter to deteriorate.
Terming the decision of the ENPO to boycott the election an “extreme step,” Therie, in a press statement, said this amount to “breakdown of the Constitution” and a “black chapter in the history of Nagaland’s statehood.”
Therie pointed out that ENPO is standing on issues of discrimination and grievances with support of the rural population AND the youth and they deserve to be respected.
He, however, said the MLAs, although elected by the ENPO voters, “are slaves to their election debts as the system is” adding that “Slaves do not raise their voice for their rights. Now therefore, the voice of ENPO and its frontals are important.”
On the report that the Nagaland Chief Minister himself has encouraged ENPO to meet Union Home Minister with their demands, Therie pointed out that public order falls under State subject, therefore, maintaining peace and harmony and public order is the duty of the State. “Showing the doors to ENPO in the beginning instead of addressing the issues is a grave error,” he therefore maintained.
Therie also said the “opposition-less and voiceless government, especially the elected MLAs are collectively responsible for the failure.” Stating that they are equally responsible for the future outcome, the former Congress president urged the legislators to wake up to the occasion.
The Congress leader reflected that during his association with ENPO leaders and citizens, he found them to be peaceful, amiable and willing to cooperate with the State.
“Fourteen years have passed without much attention to address the demands. We have not heard of any action taken attempting to resolve the problem,” he claimed.
