Nagaland: Kezekevi Thehou Ba justifies filing of PIL

DIMAPUR, JUNE 3 (MExN): The Kezekevi Thehou Ba today issued a response to a statement made by the Nagaland In-Service Doctors’ Association (NIDA) wherein the latter expressed displeasure at the filing a Public Interest Litigation against department officials by name. 


A press release from the organization said that its initial RTI was filed “with the sole intention to protect the interest of the health workers in specific and the general public in general as we foresee the enormous task of the health workers in the event of mass outbreak of COVID-19.”


It mentioned that the RTI application was filed on April 24 before the State had any COVID positive case and the information supplied “although misleading and unsatisfactory were furnished on 27th April, 2020 by the department.” 


“As such, Kezekevi Thehou Ba is disturbed to see the reaction of NIDA questioning the public from approaching the High Court in the form of Public Interest Litigation,” it said. 


“Regardless of any situation, the Fundamental Rights, the Life and Liberty of the people has to be protected whatsoever without any compromise and the situation being such that when the right to life is about to be infringed, seeking legal recourse in the form of Public Interest Litigation for enforcement of Naga People’s Right to fair chance of “Survival” during the pandemic, right to equality in terms of medical facilities and other Fundamental Rights cannot be stopped or questioned by anyone,” the organization stated.


It meanwhile stated that those aggrieved on the action of filing the PILs for protection of the basic rights “is virtually challenging and questioning the legitimacy and legality of the Constitution Laws and RTI Act before the High Court.”


The Kezekevi Thehou Ba said that people approaching the right forum for the protection of Right to Survival must not be misconstrued as the very purpose of PIL is for protection of public interest. 


On the issue of selective officials being impleaded in the PIL, the Kezekevi Thehou Ba refrained from making further elaboration “as the matter is already pending in the High Court for adjudication and it is hoped that truth will be revealed and justice will be done for the welfare of the people of Nagaland.”