Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 24
Nagaland Home Minister Imkong L. Imchen has reiterated his stance that underground cadres booked under the National Security Act (NSA) should be treated as what he called “political prisoners” and not as ordinary criminals in the state’s jails. Reacting to the charge of the Congress, the Home Minister, while interacting with media persons at his official chambers here today explained that the Government of India has recognized both the NSCN factions as ‘entities’ and in ceasefire and political negotiations with the groups. For this, he rationalized, the activists ‘should not be equated with ordinary criminals but rather be treated on political lines’. However, he said, individually, the law will take its own course of action if they commit criminal activities.
Imchen asserted that he was not trying to condone crime and criminal activities. On the rampant extortion and illegal tax collections by various groups and individuals, particularly in Dimapur, the Home minister expressed happiness that the people are now ‘working in unison’ to root out the evil of extortion. Claiming again that the law and order situation in the state has relatively ‘improved’, he compared the current situation to that of earlier years. Today, he said, organisations and even individuals have started questioning the underground groups and termed this trend as a positive sign. Also seeking to prove his point, he said factional killings and violence have come to a halt.
Rubbishing the Congress’ charge, he accused them of lacking love for what he called “Naga nationalism” saying they lack true leadership and honesty as they have failed to appreciate the ‘sacrifices of the leaders’ and instead concentrating on criminal and illegal activities committed by their cadres.
“They should be appreciated as they are truly fighting for the Naga political issue and we cannot just ignore them”, he asserted. He also maintained that the government is making all efforts to eradicate the menace of extortion with the active cooperation of the civil societies and individuals. Admitting that the menace cannot, however, be eradicated overnight and that the issue needs time to tackle, he expressed hope that the time will come when our society will be a better place to live in.
The Home Minister also said the ‘Chaka Jam’ agitation launched by the truckers has come as a real eye-opener and admitted that he fully supported such a move. He also expressed concern over the encroachment on the state’s land by Assam and revealed that he has convened a meeting with the Ao Senden and the Phom Tribal Council on June 27, at Tuli, to discuss the encroachment by Assam in the disputed border areas. He disclosed that some six to seven square kilometres of land at the border have already been encroached by Assam, who has even established quite a number of police outposts in the disputed areas.
Mention may be made that the state government’s machineries, the various factions as well as the civil societies and NGOs have shifted into top gear immediately following the recent consultative meetings – one on rape, crime and extortion and the other on encroachment over public or common property of the Nagas. Both the consultative meetings were direct or indirect initiatives of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. Notably, following the unanimous decision to preserve and protect the common property of the Nagas – Intangki Reserve Forest in particular – the underground leaders have also come out supporting the initiative and vowing to make all efforts to prevent the national treasure from falling into the hands of unscrupulous individuals or groups.
