Dimapur March 9 (MExN): Mechanical, Social & Water Conservation Parliamentary Secretary Nkhao Lotha has been slapped with a defamation suit by Ekyimo Kikon, Vice-President of Janata Dal (United) Nagaland Unit. The case filed is in the court of the First-class Judicial Magistrate Kohima.
According to the account given in the complainant’s file which was received here today, Ekyimo Kikon charged the Parliamentary Secretary with various charge of offense ranging from defamation tactics, forgery and attack on the JD (U) stalwart ‘s personality. The complainant alleged that after Nkhao Lotha’s victory in the assembly elections held in February 2003, the latter, misused his office and power and position as Parliamentary Secretary against Ekyimo. The Parliamentary Secretary, to consolidate his political power, misused his position to cause damage to the reputation, prestige and position of the JD (U) Vice-President in the eyes of the public as well as to ensure that Ekyimo loses in the next elections again, according to the case account.
Another charge made by the complainant was that the Parliamentary Secretary, in a ‘note’ addressed to Kuzholuzo, Minister of Agriculture, Nagaland, accused Ekyimo Kikon of forging signatures in the name of both the Chairmen of Sungro EAC HQ and Pangti Village and lodged a complaint with ‘some’ underground organization (s), which was not identified in the complaint filed. This particular charge pertained to certain contract works. In the light of the alleged complaint lodged with the underground organization, that two contractors, who were allotted the contract in question, were summoned to the office of the CAO, Wokha Region on December 8, 2005 and subsequently leading to withdrawal of the work order which was issued in the name of the mentioned village heads. The case account stated that the Parliamentary Secretary’s note accused Kikon of being the “brain behind the cancellation of the work order, illegally condemning the government order.”
Kikon stated that the aforesaid false “amputations” were made by Nkhao Lotha with “the intention of harming, or with the knowledge or having reasons to believe that they will harm the reputation” of the complainant.
“The aforesaid (charges) have lowered the reputation of the complainant in the eyes of the public in general and/or the persons who have gone through or come across the note” maintained the details of the case account. While adding that Parliamentary Secretary Nkhao Lotha had committed an offence punishable under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code, Ekyimo Kikon petitioned for summoning Nkhao Lotha to be tried and punished in accordance with the law.
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