Mokokchung, 14 May (MTNews): Nagaland Congress leader K Therie on Tuesday slammed the state government over the issue of safety and security, saying that the government is responsible for the death of Ms Supou P, who was killed in a firing incident on 8 May.
The former Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president Therie, in a press release, said that the state government had failed to provide adequate security to the people, and that the death of Ms Supou P was a “direct result” of the government’s negligence.
“Safety and security is more than just words, it is life and death. Why should the state have to lose a vibrant life like Ms Supou P? If unauthorized weapons were not with the criminal, she would have lived. The State Govt is responsible for her death. We have lost many lives in the same manner,” Therie said.
Therie also called on the Governor of Nagaland to take serious concern over the issue of safety and security, and to take steps to ensure that the people of the state are safe.
“Hon’ble Governor must pay serious concern over safety and security to life and property. The opposition-less govt that is hand in glove with factions is safe and secured but not the public, especially the entrepreneurs. Many are speaking and writing between the lines to avoid provocation for fear of unauthorized weapons. Complainants are directed to compromise with factions for future safety as the govt cannot be always with them,” Therie said.
Therie also claimed that the people are paying multiple taxes, and that these funds are being siphoned off.
“Perhaps there are more than 1,000 weapons in the hands of factions. I have lost count of the number of factions, but I am enlightened by CNCCI that we have 18 factions. It means people are paying 19 taxes including to the State Govt. All these funds are only siphoned off. They do not even use these funds to repair potholes. In my understanding NSCN(IM) and NNPGs (7 factions) are in negotiations with GOI. At one time, Ceasefire Monitoring Chairman is reported to have issued over 700 arms for protection of faction leaders,” Therie said.
Therie also questioned the existence of the state government, and said that the recent electoral verdict appears to favour the continuation of such a situation.
Therie also said that the CNCCI’s question, “Who is in-charge?” is also the question of every citizen. He went on to say that the existence of the State Govt is not known.
“All these activities have been happening for some years. The recent electoral verdict appears to favour the continuation of such a situation. To me it is a senseless verdict. However, because of a senseless verdict, we cannot ignore safety and security to life and property of our citizens,” Therie said.
Therie urged the Governor to take steps to ensure that the state government is accountable to the people, and that the people are safe and secure.
“I call upon the Hon’ble Governor, the guardian of the Constitution to raise the Constitutional provisions to his Council of Ministers and to wake them up to enforce the law of land. The people of Nagaland deserve governance. There is no need for arms in negotiation. Why not close all arms in their respective designated camps? In 1954 when NNC decided to organize forces to fight for freedom, they formed the Federal Govt. of Nagaland (FGN) to defend Nagaland. The purpose was not to kill brothers and sisters or extort. Now that all are in Ceasefire, it is the duty of the State Govt and the GOI to control unauthorized weapons and accelerate development. If the state Govt is not willing, the Hon’ble Governor has options,” Therie said.
