Dimapur, July 6 (MExN): Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio has denounced what he called the ‘assassination bid’ on his Press secretary Abu Metha on the night of July 5 at the latter’s residence at Mohonkhula in Kohima. “I condemn the dastardly and cowardly assassination attempt in the strongest manner, “Rio said in a note issued to the Media.
“I would also like to appeal to all citizens to try and settler their disputes or differences in a democratic and civilized manner and to abjure violence as a means of settling such disputes,” the chief minister said. He did not elaborate what “such disputes” were, that may have caused the reported incident.
The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has also denounced the reported “shot out” which “attempted to assassinate” the press secretary to chief minister of Nagaland.
“The federation while terming the incident as premeditated by thug assassins, which is an act of coward, demeaning the Naga society in its call for breeding a culture peace and brotherhood has affirmed to extent all cooperation towards the investigating authority for apprehending the culprits at the earliest,” stated the NSF in the words of its general secretary N Ejanthung Ngullie.
The organization has urged all peace-loving citizens to condemn such crimes in the State. The public is urged to extend all cooperation to the government authorities in identifying and bringing the criminals to justice.
Also, the Chiechama Village Council has demanded a high-level investigation into the incident, calling the shooting “evil” and “unwarranted violent act” which is now a “direct challenge upon us.”
“We appeal to the authorities of the State government to immediately institute a high-level inquiry and investigation so that the culprits and the miscreants are brought to book and handed exemplary punishment as per the laws of the land. The investigating and law-enforcing agencies should not rest till the culprits are brought to book,” stated a press release from the council’s chairman Mhalezolie Metha and Secretary Ruokuozolie Rupreo.
The council said it is time for the Naga society to stand up and fight the perpetrators of violence. The council appeals to all to cooperate to bring down the criminals and disallow the rule of the gun in the State.
