Former Nagaland minister and former Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president K Therie has called for the imposition of President’s Rule in Nagaland, arguing that it is the “only way” forward for an early resolution of the Naga political issue.
In a statement, Therie claimed that the demand for President’s Rule has gained “mass support” as people seek peace and freedom. He alleged that the NPF was acting as a “roadblock” to an early solution to the Naga political issue.
Therie questioned the NPF’s opposition to President’s Rule while, according to him, its demand for fresh talks at the ministerial level had again been rejected. He also criticized the BJP-NPF relationship, recalling the BJP’s 2018 “election for solution” promise and saying that the NPF had relied on the BJP for seven years to deliver on it.
He argued that the Government of India has sufficient grounds to impose President’s Rule, citing the NPF’s earlier commitment to “pave the way” for an honorable and acceptable solution.
Therie also accused the state government of failing to discharge its constitutional responsibilities, particularly in maintaining law and order. He referred to Articles 355, 356 and 365 of the Constitution in support of his argument.
He further alleged that the state government had failed to enforce public order and had not implemented provisions relating to the Inner Line Permit (ILP) and Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) “justly and without bias.”
Therie also criticized the removal of former Naga political talks interlocutor RN Ravi and what he described as repeated mandates given to the NPF, arguing that these developments had weakened the political will for an early solution.
“The only way is PR,” Therie said, concluding that the Centre could proclaim President’s Rule in Nagaland in the prevailing circumstances.