Morung Express News
Mokokchung | October 22
Longjang village, the native village of Nagaland’s first Chief Minister P.Shilu Ao, is apparently caught in a political dilemma with two candidates from the village vying to contest in the coming state general election. Supporters of Akang Ao, NPF general secretary-spokesperson and TN Mannen, the Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner, Government of Nagaland, both intending candidates from the village, clashed last night at around 11:00 PM. The supporters of the two candidates came to blows after a skirmish between some of them at Lametong Mepu of the village, leading to an almost full-scale confrontation between the two parties.
It is reported that Akang’s supporters dispersed from the scene after the initial row but Mannen’s company kept pursuing them. Mannen’s supporters began pelting stones at the houses of Akang’s supporters in the process, including Akang’s own private house in the village. A vehicle Maruti Alto NL 07 2494 belonging to a kin of Akang’s was also battered during the account. According to the driver of the car, Kamneahmr, more than thirty young men approached the car before he fled the scene. The exterior of Akang’s private house, which happens to be just above the Village Council Chairman’s residence, was also pelted with stones by Mannen’s supporters. They also entered the house and damaged some household items. The village council members told this correspondent of The Morung Express that the situation is under control and denied any gunshots being fired last night, and said that nobody was injured during last night’s episode.
Mention may be made here that Longjang village falls under 23 Impur A/C of Mokokchung district. Longjang Village Council Chairman R.Toshi made it clear that TN Mannen had approached the village council and informed them of his interest to contest in the forthcoming state general election and had sought the council’s support earlier during the month of March this year. It was only during the month of September that Akang made his intention to contest known to the council, it is said. On being queried if the village council had handpicked any one of the two intending candidates, the village council said, “Mannen approached us first and we had had his appeal for approval and support of the village council considered. It was only then that Akang approached us much later.”
Akang’s supporters are however alleging that the attack took place without any provocation and that some women, children were also injured during the incident. They also alleged that the Mannen as Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary was misusing his official power to rally support for his political aspiration and for this reason, the commissioner was ‘delaying his resignation to misuse government machinery in his favour’. Mannen is due to retire from service only in December 2009. “If he wants to contest let him resign first”, said one of Akang’s supporters on condition of anonymity.
There are credible reports that the present Commissioner’s plans to contest the coming elections. Akang’s supporters are however claiming that the NPF official candidate is likely to be decided in favour of Akang. Meanwhile, the president of the Mokokchung Division of the NPF, Lanukaba, when enquired if they have selected their candidate for the next general election from 23 Impur A/C disclosed that the party will select the one whom the people in general prefer.
The sitting MLA from 23 Impur A/C, Nungsangyapang Aier of the Congress party could not be contacted for his views on the latest round of affairs developing in his constituency. He hails from Mopungchuket village, one of the three major villages in the constituency, the other two major players being Longjang and Sungratsu. While there is no report of a candidature to the next elections from Sungratsu village, Longjang already has two while the sitting MLA from Mopungchuket is sure to contest. NPF Mokokchung President Lanukaba also disclosed that both intending candidates from Longjang village, Akang Ao and TN Mannen, are vying for the NPF ticket, and that the one supported by the people at the grassroots will be given the party ticket, and that the Central Council of the party has already been informed of the same. He also claimed that Longjang village has always been a bastion of the regional party.
Longri, a ‘gaonbora’ or GB of the village said that it is regretted that citizens of the same village are segmented along party lines, much worse they are fighting amongst themselves. Mokokchung SDO (C) and EAC in-charge of Kubulong, Amenla, rushed to the village this morning to take stock of the situation.
