DIMAPUR, JUNE 8 (MExN): The protest over change of nomenclature of the erstwhile ‘Polling Station No. 11, 12 DC Court Area Lengrijan’ as ‘Industrial Village Razuphe I & II’ continued on Wednesday, June 8. The public of six colonies, namely – Hill View, Industrial Estate, Lengrijan, Aokong Firing Range, Oriental and Duncan Basti assembled outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office for the second day to boycott the conduct of photography for Electors’ Photo Identity Card (EPIC) in the two concerned polling stations.
‘We were not consulted’ claim agitators
Although there was no violence, the underlying tension was evident as the district administration deployed nearly two companies of the IRB in the area.
With the assembled public sticking to their earlier demand of rectifying the matter within seven days, the Deputy Commissioner & District Election Officer, Dimapur Maong Aier deferred the dates. The DC at the same time called upon the concerned colonies for dialogue to address the matter. On the other hand the agitating public stood their ground stating that they have already let known their demands and grievances in the memorandum, which came with a seven day deadline, submitted earlier.
The dates are rescheduled from June 13 onwards. No photography could be conducted as a result. The agitators, nevertheless, maintained that they will go on with their protest until the former name is restored.
Later addressing mediapersons, the DC informed that the change of nomenclature was proposed in 2007 and approved in 2008. It was affected during the tenure of Abhijit Sinha as DC, Dimapur. The decision for change of name was made after a sitting of the district election committee along with political party representatives in attendance, which was forwarded to the state Election Commission for approval. According to available records, a timeframe of seven days, inviting claims and objections from concerned colonies was let known through the local dailies in this regard. However, no response was received from any quarter. Thus, it was forwarded to the state election commission, who eventually gave the approval, the DC said.
Taking the records into consideration, the DC opined it would be prudent to say that the agitators take up the matter at a higher level.
On the other hand, the version of Meren Zhimomi, chairman of one of the protesting colonies, contradicted the DC’s statement. Zhimomi asserted that no information, whatsoever was received with regard to change of nomenclature that time. The only thing they were appraised of was for relocating the concerned polling stations, he said.
He further contended that serious irregularities were committed by the district administration during the change of nomenclature. “The matter is a serious case of manipulation of public documents for which the officials are solely responsible.” The concerned colonies are contemplating filing a case of criminal liability against those officials who were involved, he said. He added that they will be appraising the Election Commission in written on the matter while questioning the role of Abhijit Sinha, the then DC under whose tenure it was affected. He avowed that the public will continue with the agitation till justice is done.
One of the protestors alleged that the state election commission changed the nomenclature without consulting the public of the area. “Changing the name of a locality is within the exclusive executive domain of the government. The state election commission has to act only if the state government notifies the change of name. However, in our case without any notification issued by the state government, the election authority changed the name of the local area under their own whims without any authority of law.” “Therefore, such actions are null and void which is liable to be corrected at any time… a null and void action can be rectified any time according to law,”
he defended.
‘We were not consulted’ claim agitators
Although there was no violence, the underlying tension was evident as the district administration deployed nearly two companies of the IRB in the area.
With the assembled public sticking to their earlier demand of rectifying the matter within seven days, the Deputy Commissioner & District Election Officer, Dimapur Maong Aier deferred the dates. The DC at the same time called upon the concerned colonies for dialogue to address the matter. On the other hand the agitating public stood their ground stating that they have already let known their demands and grievances in the memorandum, which came with a seven day deadline, submitted earlier.
The dates are rescheduled from June 13 onwards. No photography could be conducted as a result. The agitators, nevertheless, maintained that they will go on with their protest until the former name is restored.
Later addressing mediapersons, the DC informed that the change of nomenclature was proposed in 2007 and approved in 2008. It was affected during the tenure of Abhijit Sinha as DC, Dimapur. The decision for change of name was made after a sitting of the district election committee along with political party representatives in attendance, which was forwarded to the state Election Commission for approval. According to available records, a timeframe of seven days, inviting claims and objections from concerned colonies was let known through the local dailies in this regard. However, no response was received from any quarter. Thus, it was forwarded to the state election commission, who eventually gave the approval, the DC said.
Taking the records into consideration, the DC opined it would be prudent to say that the agitators take up the matter at a higher level.
On the other hand, the version of Meren Zhimomi, chairman of one of the protesting colonies, contradicted the DC’s statement. Zhimomi asserted that no information, whatsoever was received with regard to change of nomenclature that time. The only thing they were appraised of was for relocating the concerned polling stations, he said.
He further contended that serious irregularities were committed by the district administration during the change of nomenclature. “The matter is a serious case of manipulation of public documents for which the officials are solely responsible.” The concerned colonies are contemplating filing a case of criminal liability against those officials who were involved, he said. He added that they will be appraising the Election Commission in written on the matter while questioning the role of Abhijit Sinha, the then DC under whose tenure it was affected. He avowed that the public will continue with the agitation till justice is done.
One of the protestors alleged that the state election commission changed the nomenclature without consulting the public of the area. “Changing the name of a locality is within the exclusive executive domain of the government. The state election commission has to act only if the state government notifies the change of name. However, in our case without any notification issued by the state government, the election authority changed the name of the local area under their own whims without any authority of law.” “Therefore, such actions are null and void which is liable to be corrected at any time… a null and void action can be rectified any time according to law,”
he defended.
Dimapur colonies’ EPIC boycott criticized
Dimapur, June 8 (MExN): The boycott of the EPIC campaign by residents of five colonies in Dimapur due to declaration and change of nomenclature of polling station 11 and 12 is criticized as “uncalled for” by a Kohima-based local organization.
“The boycott of the EPIC campaign by residents of 5 colonies in Dimapur due to declaration and change of nomenclature of polling station 11 & 12 and not allowing the Government agency, Booth Level Officer (BLO) to perform the photography session is uncalled for,” stated the Angami Youth Organization.
The AYO issued a note today opining that the joint forum of the five colonies “should show restraint” and “cooperate with the government while seeking to redress their grievances from the government.” The AYO appeals to the colonies’ residents “not to restrict any eligible voter from taking part in the state-wide campaign of the EPIC as this may hamper the citizens of the area from exercising their Universal Adult Franchise in the long run.”
In another matter, the AYO extends ‘fullest support’ to the Nagaland Voluntary Consumer Organization in its campaign to stop illegal collection of taxes in the State. Congratulating the NVCO leaders for taking the initiative to end “a menace that has been in existence for too long,” the AYO appealed to all right-thinking citizens to support this cause and requested the government to be “firm in dealing with this menace.”
“The boycott of the EPIC campaign by residents of 5 colonies in Dimapur due to declaration and change of nomenclature of polling station 11 & 12 and not allowing the Government agency, Booth Level Officer (BLO) to perform the photography session is uncalled for,” stated the Angami Youth Organization.
The AYO issued a note today opining that the joint forum of the five colonies “should show restraint” and “cooperate with the government while seeking to redress their grievances from the government.” The AYO appeals to the colonies’ residents “not to restrict any eligible voter from taking part in the state-wide campaign of the EPIC as this may hamper the citizens of the area from exercising their Universal Adult Franchise in the long run.”
In another matter, the AYO extends ‘fullest support’ to the Nagaland Voluntary Consumer Organization in its campaign to stop illegal collection of taxes in the State. Congratulating the NVCO leaders for taking the initiative to end “a menace that has been in existence for too long,” the AYO appealed to all right-thinking citizens to support this cause and requested the government to be “firm in dealing with this menace.”
Industrial Village Razhuphe flays
Dimapur, June 8 (MExN): The Council of Industrial Village Razhuphe has condemned the boycott of EPIC Photography operation under polling station 11 and 12 of Dimapur II A/c by six colonies’ councils. The six councils are – Hill View Council, Oriental Council, Industrial Estate Council, Ao Kong Council, Lengrijan Council and Duncan Council.
Expressing its discontentment , the council in a note issued by its head GB cum chairman TL Angami and secretary Keneingulie stated that on June 7, when the voters of under the Industrial Village Razhuphe were taking part in the EPIC Photography operation at the Town Planning office compound, the “leaders of the six colonies” trespassed into the place.
The duo in the note claimed: “…men numbering to hundred, threatened the village voters including the concern BLO and obstructed the ongoing photography session by throwing and breaking the tables and chairs used by the staffs. Also one of our GB in uniform on duty was badly beaten and several villagers were also beaten up without any color of authority.”
The council has requested the concerned authority to do the needful and take necessary action for the success and completion of the ongoing photography operation.
Expressing its discontentment , the council in a note issued by its head GB cum chairman TL Angami and secretary Keneingulie stated that on June 7, when the voters of under the Industrial Village Razhuphe were taking part in the EPIC Photography operation at the Town Planning office compound, the “leaders of the six colonies” trespassed into the place.
The duo in the note claimed: “…men numbering to hundred, threatened the village voters including the concern BLO and obstructed the ongoing photography session by throwing and breaking the tables and chairs used by the staffs. Also one of our GB in uniform on duty was badly beaten and several villagers were also beaten up without any color of authority.”
The council has requested the concerned authority to do the needful and take necessary action for the success and completion of the ongoing photography operation.
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