Dimapur, December 30 (MExN): While expressing its dismay over the “return of factional wars in the state” the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) today criticized the Home Minister Imkong L. Imchen for failing in “his political duty and responsibility to protect the live of the innocent civilians.” The NPCC insinuated that the home minister constantly considers all confrontations between the underground groups as ‘political in nature’ even though it may involve the security, lives and properties of the innocent citizens.
“As the Home Minister, where is the space for him to appeal or urge? He should act,” the NPCC said in a statement today. The NPCC expressed loss and anguish that Imchen had now turned out to be a “Home minister” who, every time factional clashes break out, blames the public for “non cooperation” rather than protecting them. “The Home Minister’s job demands man of wisdom and high intellectual caliber who can command any given situation decisively. The people of Nagaland don’t find these elements in Imkong L. Imchen. He is thoroughly unfit for the job. If he can’t deliver the goods, he should resign or the Chief Minister should drop him from his council of ministers before any more life is lost,” the Congress said.
The Congress said “It is understood that any confrontation between the Indian army and Naga armed cadres are political in nature because the GoI had declared and acknowledged that the Naga problem is a political problem. Imkong L. Imchen’s understanding is that, all factional clashes are also political in nature. This makes him hesitant to act. He can’t act because his hands are tied. He is simply helpless.”
The NPCC expressed dismay at the upsurge of factional wars in the state and condemned the incidents that took place in Dimapur, Zunheboto and Kohima during the past two weeks. “The incidents causing injury to the civilians, loss of lives and damage to private and public properties are unacceptable by the people of Nagaland. It also extends its condolences to the bereaved family members and wishes for early recovery of the injured,” NPCC stated.
The upheavals are testimony of the complete breakdown of the law and order machinery in Nagaland, the Congress said. “The hesitant Home Minister Shri. Imkong L. Imchen has miserably failed in his political duty and responsibility to protect the live of the innocent civilians. Every time factional fights take place, the Home Minister either blames the public for non-cooperation or sends out his appeal for maintaining peace. As the Home Minister, where is the space for him to appeal or urge? He should act. Governance is his responsibility,” the Congress reiterated.
“Gun-totting underground cadres are moving freely among civilians; this indicates complete lack of co-ordination between the various arms of Nagaland’s law enforcement agencies including the ceasefire-monitoring cell,” the NPCC reminded. “It also proved total failure in round the clock vigil and intelligence gathering. As the Home Minister, he is entirely responsible for the breakdown in the law and order situation. He can’t shy away from or shift his responsibility.”
