Don’t provoke govt: Imchen
DIMAPUR, MAY 11 (TEN): Coming out strongly against the increased armed confrontations in the State, especially Dimapur district, Nagaland Home Minister, Imkong Imchen cautioned the underground factions not to provoke the government. “One cannot afford to underestimate the strength of the (State) government” he said adding that the government’s priority is to provide security and comfort to the people and it had the authority to “execute” violators to protect its people from insecurity.
Addressing the media after his return from Delhi today at Hotel Saramati, Imchen pointed out that though the underground groups have an agreement with the Government of India, Government of Nagaland is not party to the said agreement. It is only by virtue of the state government being under the Centre that it is honouring the agreement but in the event of greater incitement by underground groups, he said that the State government would be “compelled” to act.
Imchen reviled the ‘gun culture’ with the killing of Nagas by Nagas saying it is time to stop. “Fratricidal killing has crossed all limits” he remarked and added that the Naga cause which has an important history of 60 years cannot be just thrown away through the barrel of a gun. The Home Minister said that that the 1951 Naga Plebiscite had mandated for a separate Naga nation but it has never given the mandate to use AK 47 on the Nagas. Therefore, he pointed out that AK 47, which is ruling the people in today’s situation, does not have the sanction of the people and should be ruthlessly opposed by the people. “During the Indian Freedom struggle under the banner of INC, they have never killed an Indian nor abducted or extorted an Indian. What is the difference with Naga’s case?” he questioned.
Imchen said that Naga society should function as a team like the eleven players of a football team, who have a combination of different roles to win the match. Likewise, he said the 16 Naga tribes should cohabit together and march ahead. He called for Nagas to do away with thinking only of himself or his own tribe because the “policy of domination by a single or two or three tribes over the rest of Naga tribes is neither desirable nor achievable”. Besides the ruling government in the State, Imchen said that the people of Nagaland were also against the killings, abductions and extortion going on in the State and opined that the power of the people should rise above these unlawful and criminal activities. He said that the State government, all State political parties and National parties are united behind the desire of Naga people, which is a good sign towards achieving peace. The Home Minister said that the Political Affairs Committee, during its last meeting had decided to implement the Ceasefire Ground Rules in letter and in spirit and this needed to be strictly adhered to. “They should abide by their own agreement…which was made on their own volition”, he stated.
Deviating from the earlier stand of DAN Government that factional clashes were a political issue and not a law and order one which drew a lot of flak from the Congress party, Home Minister Imchen responded to query that it was both a political and law and order issue. “It is both political and law and order situation. I cannot shy away from my responsibility” he said elaborating that the crimes being committed were a law and order problem but it was being committed by underground cadres in the name of political issue.
In reference to the GPRN/NSCN (Unification), Imchen said that the new group was not a recognized group but it could not be called a “banned” group either; it was just a matter of nomenclature. Averting a direct question on the matter, Imchen said that if it had merged with the NSCN (K), then the question of recognition does not arise, he said.
Informing the public that there would be searches, checking’s and frisking by security personnel, the Home Minister appealed with the public to give them moral support instead of confronting them. They are just doing their duty for your own good” he said. He also asked the people from all walks of like to participate in the Peace March which was being organized by the GBs and DBs in Dimapur, which he will also be attending. “If public think what the undergrounds are doing is wrong, they should come out. Let us fear nothing” he called out.
Today’s meeting was attended by DC Dimpaur, Maongwati Aier; SP Dimapur, Lirimo Lotha; Additional DG (Operation), O. Alem and MLA and Chairman NIDC and NHC, Dr. Nuklutoshi.
Addressing the media after his return from Delhi today at Hotel Saramati, Imchen pointed out that though the underground groups have an agreement with the Government of India, Government of Nagaland is not party to the said agreement. It is only by virtue of the state government being under the Centre that it is honouring the agreement but in the event of greater incitement by underground groups, he said that the State government would be “compelled” to act.
Imchen reviled the ‘gun culture’ with the killing of Nagas by Nagas saying it is time to stop. “Fratricidal killing has crossed all limits” he remarked and added that the Naga cause which has an important history of 60 years cannot be just thrown away through the barrel of a gun. The Home Minister said that that the 1951 Naga Plebiscite had mandated for a separate Naga nation but it has never given the mandate to use AK 47 on the Nagas. Therefore, he pointed out that AK 47, which is ruling the people in today’s situation, does not have the sanction of the people and should be ruthlessly opposed by the people. “During the Indian Freedom struggle under the banner of INC, they have never killed an Indian nor abducted or extorted an Indian. What is the difference with Naga’s case?” he questioned.
Imchen said that Naga society should function as a team like the eleven players of a football team, who have a combination of different roles to win the match. Likewise, he said the 16 Naga tribes should cohabit together and march ahead. He called for Nagas to do away with thinking only of himself or his own tribe because the “policy of domination by a single or two or three tribes over the rest of Naga tribes is neither desirable nor achievable”. Besides the ruling government in the State, Imchen said that the people of Nagaland were also against the killings, abductions and extortion going on in the State and opined that the power of the people should rise above these unlawful and criminal activities. He said that the State government, all State political parties and National parties are united behind the desire of Naga people, which is a good sign towards achieving peace. The Home Minister said that the Political Affairs Committee, during its last meeting had decided to implement the Ceasefire Ground Rules in letter and in spirit and this needed to be strictly adhered to. “They should abide by their own agreement…which was made on their own volition”, he stated.
Deviating from the earlier stand of DAN Government that factional clashes were a political issue and not a law and order one which drew a lot of flak from the Congress party, Home Minister Imchen responded to query that it was both a political and law and order issue. “It is both political and law and order situation. I cannot shy away from my responsibility” he said elaborating that the crimes being committed were a law and order problem but it was being committed by underground cadres in the name of political issue.
In reference to the GPRN/NSCN (Unification), Imchen said that the new group was not a recognized group but it could not be called a “banned” group either; it was just a matter of nomenclature. Averting a direct question on the matter, Imchen said that if it had merged with the NSCN (K), then the question of recognition does not arise, he said.
Informing the public that there would be searches, checking’s and frisking by security personnel, the Home Minister appealed with the public to give them moral support instead of confronting them. They are just doing their duty for your own good” he said. He also asked the people from all walks of like to participate in the Peace March which was being organized by the GBs and DBs in Dimapur, which he will also be attending. “If public think what the undergrounds are doing is wrong, they should come out. Let us fear nothing” he called out.
Today’s meeting was attended by DC Dimpaur, Maongwati Aier; SP Dimapur, Lirimo Lotha; Additional DG (Operation), O. Alem and MLA and Chairman NIDC and NHC, Dr. Nuklutoshi.
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