Wokha, November 5 (MExN): Lotha organizations, under the aegis of the Lotha Hoho, have arrived at the conclusion that the imposition of a Prohibitory Order in Wokha town on October 9 was “unprovoked and uncalled for” apart from being “against the Fundamental Democratic Right, provisioned in the Indian Constitution, for Freedom of Expression.”
A press release from the Lotha Hoho, released by its President Mhao Humtsoe and General Secretary Er. Mhondamo Ovung on November 4, stated that the imposition of CrPC 144 by the Wokha district administration was not just an “abuse of administrative power” but also an “insult to the Lotha community, the dweller of the district.”
For future reference, the “Lotha organizations will not allow any such Abuse of Administrative Power,” the Lotha Hoho maintained. The statement was released after the Lotha organizations deliberated on the events that led up to the imposition of prohibitory orders.
It may be recalled that a student was assaulted by a crowd in Wokha Town on October 4. Condemning the assault the Lotha Students’ Union, Lotha Eloe Hoho and All Nagaland Private Schools Association, Wokha Unit, had resolved to stage a silent procession on October 9 to express their resentment against the assault and to submit a Memorandum to the District Administration. However, the District Administration imposed CrPC 144 on that day in order to prevent the silent rally.
Condemning the same, the Lotha organizations met the Wokha Deputy Commisioner on November 3 at his office, submitted a memorandum and asked the DC, Wokha, to “apologize through the local Print Media,” informed the Lotha Hoho press release.
However, the DC, Wokha, “verbally lamented and requested the organizations to settle the issue amicably in the name of Tokhu Emong as he is also about to move out on transfer from Wokha.”
Therefore, stated the Hoho, the “Lotha organizations took cognisance of his verbal apology and since he is also going on transfer, agreed that the apology through print media may not be insisted from him.”
Meanwhile, the Lotha Hoho reminded that the “same brutal prohibitory CrPC 144 was also imposed by the same Administration, for launching the controversial MOGPL at Tssori- Champang Oil fields, on July 21, 2014, against the rights and wishes of the land owners and against Article 371A of the Indian Constitution.”
