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Nagaland Forest Minister’s insensitive remark on human-elephant conflict sparks outrage; Minister tenders apology

ByMOKOKCHUNG TIMES

Sep 15, 2023 #CL John, #Nagaland

Mokokchung, 14 September (MTNews): Following the insensitive remark made by Nagaland Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, CL John over the human-elephant conflict incidences during the second session of the 14th NLA on 12 September, the minister’s comment sparked outrage among the citizens, prompting widespread condemnation across the state and in various social media platforms.

 

The minister, while responding to a question raised by MLA Achumbemo Kikon, lightheartedly said that people of Wokha are “winning” the human-elephant conflict and had dismissively stated that “only” 8 people have been killed by elephants so far as the NLA members laughed.

 

Calling out the “callous” remark by the minister, the Lotha Students’ Union (LSU) condemned the minister’s remark for not only lacking empathy for the victims’ families but also highlighted that it reflects a profound disconnect from the ground realities of the situation.

 

The LSU pointed out that the conflicts between humans and elephants have not only caused negative attitudes but have also caused the local people to be gripped by fear and resentment due to life-threatening experiences.

 

In this regard, the LSU has urged the Minister to offer an ‘unconditional apology’ to the citizens of Wokha district and further invited the minister to visit Wokha District and Bhandari Sub Division to witness the situation firsthand by immersing himself in the challenges faced by the people and to understand the gravity of the human-elephant conflict in order to gain a more accurate perspective.

 

Furthermore, the LSU called for “responsible, respectable, and qualified individuals” to hold positions of power and influence, especially in matters concerning the environment and the well-being of citizens. The people of Wokha District and all right-thinking citizens expect genuine concern from their elected representatives, it added.

 

Furthermore, the LSU has also asked the minister to think of alternative steps that can be employed by the state department, such as Acoustic and Visual Mechanisms, Fences and Barriers, Early Warning and Detection Systems, Safeguarding Elephant Corridors, Changing Human Attitudes towards Elephants, as well as ensuring the conservation of Forest areas from illegal encroachments by humans.

 

Joining the condemnation, the Tiyi Wildlife Conservation and Animal-Human Conflict Control Society (TWC & A-HCCS) of Wokha also condemned the Minister’s ‘frivolous connotation of words’ on the floor of the Nagaland State Assembly and said that it has hurt the sentiments of the victims’ families caused by animal-human conflicts in Wokha district.

 

They further stated that the TWC & A-HCCS, which has been mitigating issues relating to animal-human conflicts in the district for the last 9 years, had been “deeply discouraged” by his brutal remarks. The Convenor Khyolamo Humtsoe and General Secretary Zujanbemo Kithan of the society, through a press release, sought an “unconditional apology” from the Minister to the victims’ families and the Lotha public in general.

 

Minister CL John apologizes

Following his controversial statement on human-animal conflict, Minister CL John on Thursday apologized to the families of the victims of wild elephant attacks and anyone whose sentiments were hurt due to his comments.

 

“I apologize to all the victims’ families. I do not mean any ill intentions. I sincerely and deeply regret my remarks unconditionally,” the minister said in the state assembly on Thursday.

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