Dimapur, November 24 (MExN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has expressed shock on hearing the news of ambush on the convoy of Goa Governor SC Jamir and stated that such acts of violence should not have a place in any civilized society, nor will it help in solving any of the problems that confront us. “It will rather multiply our problems and woes. I thank God for saving the life of Shri Jamir and those traveling with him”, stated a press note issued personally by the Chief Minister. Rio termed as unfortunate that some unscrupulous elements still resort to violence and bloodshed in their attempt to disturb the congenial situation that prevails in the State presently.
Rio in his statement also called upon all sections of the society to abstain from any form of violence and to come together under a spirit of unity and reconciliation. “The need of the hour for Naga society is peace and brotherhood, not violence and bloodshed”, Rio stated.
The Chief Minister on his own behalf and on behalf of the State government condemned in the strongest possible term such act of violence and expressed gratitude to Almighty God for preserving his life.
Member of Parliament, in the lower House i.e. Lok Sabha representing Nagaland, W. Wangyuh Konyak strongly condemned the assassination attempt on the life of a senior leader and stated that all right thinking citizens must condemn such cowardly act. The Lok Sabha MP also said that although the lives of other leaders such as Late Dr. Hokishe, Late Jasokie and the present Chief Minster, was attempted, but the Almighty God had protected them, due to the fervent prayers of the Naga people.”
In the case of Dr. SC Jamir, presently the Governor of Goa, this is the 4th time where his life was attempted, but as such cowardly conduct is not condoned by the Almighty God, the perpetuators were not successful. “In this time and age, the Naga Society has become educated and have broadened their mind set, and have seen their past mistakes and have realized that any misunderstanding can be solved at the round table, instead of going around and shooting people, which is an act of uneducated and problem creating individuals, who are more concerned on their selfish ideologies, instead of joining the mainstream. But they will never succeed nor will they achieve anything by such Neanderthal behavior”, Wangyuh said.
Minister Imkong L. Imchen while condemning the life bid on Jamir and his wife Alemla at the same time thanked the Almighty God for saving their lives from the dastardly act of the would be assassins. Pointing out that life belongs to God and fate remained in His merciful hand, Imchen stated that it was his trust that Jamir will continue to serve the people with more determination and devotion in the days to come for the glory of God. Pointing out that while Naga people were crying for peace and unity and to give up violence and bloodshed, the Minister stated that there are people who are bend on defying the call of its own people and refuse to understand and termed this as unfortunate and bringing more tears to countless families. While recalling this to be the fourth assassination attempt on Jamir, Imchen strongly expressed that “enough is enough” and appealed to all to stop forthwith with such kind of dastard actions which is against the will of God. “Let better sense prevail amongst the Naga family and look things beyond the boundaries of human hatred”, Imchen stated and urged that all good citizens and organizations should come out against such heinous and dastardly actions with one voice.
The attempt on the life of Jamir was dastard and cowardly act perpetuated by people who are hell-bent to destroy Naga society, stated KV Pusa, MLA and Congress Parliamentary Secretary while condemning the incident as a criminal act, which cannot be tolerated by peace loving Naga people anymore. “I appeal to all peace loving Naga people to stand up together and fight such elements in our society before it inhales us”, Pusa stated while asking the government to immediately probe into the incident and bring the criminals to book in the larger interest of Naga people.
In another statement, MLA Chingwang Konyak condemned the attempt on Jamir and stated that “like it or not Jamir is one of the architects of Nagaland State” and that this type of action will further divide the Nagas.
Organizations express shock and condemnation
The assassination attempt on Dr SC Jamir on November 24 at 6 am near Changki village has come as an utter shock to the Ao Senden and the community, stated Ao Senden President Temjenkaba and General Secretary Temjen Paul. “This kind of malevolent motive cannot be tolerated from any quarter and as such the Ao Senden vehemently condemns this kind of cowardly act. Such dastardly acts will not bring the harmony and peaceful coexistence that the Nagas are striving for”, the Ao Senden stated and therefore strongly urged the authority to apprehend the culprits at the earliest and mete out punishment under the appropriate provision of penal law.
The Chakhesang Public Organization (CPO) has expressed utter shock over the life attempt on Dr SC Jamir while pointing out that at a time when the public of Nagaland were crying against the internecine bloodshed amongst the Nagas, not only civilians but even the warring factions, this act of ambush has totally negated the general wish of the people. “Whatever may be the reason for the ambush, it cannot justify the crime committed”, stated CPO President Yesonu Veyie. Stating that differences of opinion are the essence of democracy, the CPO maintained that there must be space to talk and resolve accordingly and that killing for whatsoever reason is not a victory of the people. The CPO vehemently condemned the life attempt on Jamir and appealed to all concern to restrain themselves from doing such evil practices.
The Konyak Union Mon termed the “murder attempt” on Jamir as an act of terror and that such act without doubt portrays the true nature of the persons/parties involved. The KU Mon stated that an attempt on the life of the “son of the soil” and also the Governor of one of the country’s State was the crime of the highest order and that this act cannot be justified in any way and therefore demanded that the State government and the Centre to take immediate and stern action against those responsible. “Otherwise, if left un dealt with then the criminals will be encouraged and then there will be no space for good and genuine leaders like Jamir”, the KU stated and urged all to contemplate this heinous act and judge the motive and ideals of those responsible and stop espousing them.
In another statement, the Delhi Ao Senso Telongjem vehemently condemned the unwarranted attempt made on the life of Jamir. This was stated by C. Among Imsong, President and PT Pongener, General Secretary. The Ao Kaketshir Telongjem, Delhi in another press release, also strongly condemned the assassination attempt on the life of the Goa Governor.
The Ao Students Union Dimapur (ASUD) in its condemnation termed the life attempt on Jamir as an act of cowardice and a heinous crime which had no place in a civilized society. The ASUD in its condemnation issued by President Sajung Sanglir and Joint Secretary Toshi Longchar demanded that the law enforcing agency should book the culprits and bring to justice at the earliest. “Nagas long for peace but at this juncture it would be a distant dream”, the ASUD stated.
The DCC Mon expressed grief over the attempted assassination and said that “Such an act on the life of an innocent and honourable citizen of the State who has been trying all his life for bringing peace to the people of Nagaland cannot solve any problems rather than causing more unwanted situation”, DCC Mon General Secretary L. Takyong Konyak stated and urged that all peace loving citizens should vehemently condemn the cowardice act initiated by some scrupulous people.
