Likhumse Sangtam, who recently received an excommunication notice from the United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USLP), has formally written to the organization to revoke the notice. In a letter addressed to the Executive Convenor of the USLP, Sangtam has provided detailed reasons why he believes the notice should be rescinded.
Sangtam, a resident of Thsingar Village, argues that his comments made on July 8, 2024, in a ‘Voice of ENPO’ WhatsApp group, were misinterpreted.
He stated that his statement, “Of late, it was source out that the entire process & conduct of recent ENPO nominating committee meeting was not peaceful at all due to one of the nominating committee member flexing his muscle & power, he went on using abusive words & threatening the other nominating committee members under heavy alcoholic influence. Who knows may be because of such unfavorable environment created by so call one nominating committee member the entire process of nominating committee could not be completed unlike in the past. More details can be extract & obtain from concern members. A Stitch in Time Saves Nine,” did not target any specific individual or the USLP itself. Sangtam contends that the USLP’s claims that his comments were defamatory and derogatory against the USLP President and tarnishing the good office of USLP were arbitrary, illegal, and bereft of facts.
He further points out that no official from the USLP had approached him personally regarding his comments, contrary to the claims made in the excommunication notice. Additionally, Sangtam argued that no summon or show cause notice was issued to him, which he believes is a procedural lapse.
Sangtam disputes the relevance of Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution in this context, asserting that its application to WhatsApp comments is misplaced. He claimed that the USLP’s use of this article in the notice is “absolutely irrelevant”.
According to Sangtam, the USLP’s excommunication notice also disregards several articles of its own constitution, which he believes were overlooked during the issuance of the notice. He has requested the USLP to revoke the excommunication notice within 15 days of receiving his petition. Failure to address his appeal, Sangtam warns, will compel him to approach the appropriate court against the misuse of powers and functions by some vested USLP officials using the banner of USLP to tarnish and assassinate his reputation and in-order to prevent and safeguard the miscarriage of justice in near future.