For the sake of the truth to prevail, I am compelled to issue this press release in response to the NPF press and media bureau statement that appeared in the local daily papers on 01/07/12.
Yes, it is true that I am a defeated candidate in the last state general election. It was a rejection by the people of the constituency which is known to one and all and for that matter, there is no denying the fact. But on the other hand, what about the NPF press and media bureau members? Are they also not a defeated candidates? They were and therefore, they too were being rejected by the people in their respective constituencies in the last and previous state general elections. Hence we all are in the same boat or so to say in the same category. As such, they too are merely being used as a rubber stamp by their higher ups to mock and rebuke at others at every given opportunity.
Well, they can call or consider me as a frustrated, rubber stamp, an ignorant or in any bizarre, absurd and ridiculous manner which they think is deem fit. But honestly speaking, I shall not shy away from speaking or writing the truth always as my primary concerned is to create general awareness to the people against any false propaganda, misleading prophets and promises made to the people by the NPF-DAN government.
1. Coming to the point, the congress party too is agreed that any person in his or her right frame of mind would surely understand that Naga political issue which is more than 6 (six) decades old can not be resolved in 3(three) months period. However, unfortunately, the present Chief Minister who is their leader in his public meeting at Viswema village during 2003 state general election campaigns did promise to bring a negotiated settlement of Naga political problem acceptable to all sections of the society within 3(three) months if voted to power. Therefore, in this connection, instead of mocking and lashing out vitriolic and venomous statement against me, they (NPF press and media bureau) should better ask their leader for having said that.
Moreover, it is through the continuous initiatives and efforts of the Forum for Naga reconciliation (FNR) that has resulted to evincing of positive response from the different factions, leaving to cessation of hostilities and a halt to killing of precious lives to a great extend and thereby, bringing relative peace and tranquillity in the state is laudable and appreciable. But in the meantime, the NPF-DAN party and government cannot take it away the credit of FNR for the same.
2. Time and again, the NPF-DAN party has proclaimed that its government is the champion of backward development by asserting that developments have been taking place in abundance beyond people’s expectations in those concerned areas and to list the steps and initiatives taken by the government for the upliftment of the backward areas are endless. Yet contradictorily, the Eastern Nagas are fuming, moaning and demanding for justice that not even a single village in the areas has a proper road connectivity, electricity and drinking water facility, leave aside of other infrastructure developments.
We all know that unless both development and yearly allocated funds intended for those concerned tribes are being reaped by themselves in their respective areas, their socio-economic life cannot be up lifted and be at par with advanced tribes. However, on close observation and scrutiny, it is found that all the benefits have been reaping away always by those few in power and their coteries stationed at the Capital Town all these year while merely presenting a decorative and unserviceable infrastructures there has been the contributing factor responsible for distancing ENPO.
Furthermore, the government flip-flop policy such as firstly, shifting the ENPO issue directly to the centre without channelizing through the Nagaland Legislative Assembly then secondly, the state cabinet recommendation for autonomous council on the basis of a high powered committee report without first discussing with ENPO and finally, mixing up the special plan with the state’s normal plan although, special plan was supposed be inclusive of powers vested for implementation to address the development deficit in ENPO areas with long term planning and vision. It has been mishandling the ENPO issue from the very beginning to suit its own interest which is comparable to playing with the sentiments of the ENPO.
3. Pertaining to the 33℅ reservation of seats for women in municipals and town councils – here, The question that arose in the minds of the general public is, what has prompted the present day government in the first place to hastily passed the resolution for enacting women reservation bill during 2006 without taking the different tribal hohos, political parties, NGOs, social thinkers and Naga scholars etc into confidence or consultation. This unwarranted and arbitrary action of the government is the root-causes of social division and social dispute in the present situation in the state. Therefore, sooner the better, the present day NPF-DAN party and government must clarify its stand to the general public lest our Naga society shall not forgive.
Sevotso Seyie
P.C.C Member
