Apropos to the new item as published on 7th of Sept.’10 in some local dailies wherein the Deputy Commissioner of Kiphire maintained of a statement during the monthly DPDB meeting held on 6th of Sept,’10 which stated of a peaceful assurance, the Yimchungrü Tribal Council (YTC) would hereby like to clarify the false statements and to put matters straight in record the statements and claims of the Deputy Commissioner which is absolutely misleading for the State Government and the public.
Following are the sequence of some glaring incidents which occurred in the full knowledge and awareness of the Deputy Commissioner, Kiphire during the proposed Pungro Road Show fiasco:
1. That on the 2nd of August.’10 the public meeting was called by the United Sangtam Likhüm Bümji (USLB) through Public Address System calling all abled youth above 18 years to gather at Kiphire town including those from neighboring Villages.
2. That on 3rd August.’10 the public meeting was held at Late Hopongkyu Memorial Hall, Kiphire town and thereafter resorted to disturb and create terror and confrontation on the Yimchunger public and simultaneously disrupting the State Government proposed Road Show at Pungro.Volunteers were also deployed at every road connecting Kiphire town and Pungro armed with machetes, spears and some with sophisticated weapons to prevent the people from proceeding to Pungro particularly departmental officials and participants from Kohima and elsewhere.
3. That again, on the 3rd night, the USLB led mob damaged the Pungro-Kiphire road at 3-4 locations to prevent vehicular movement.
4. That on 4th of Au.’10, USLB led mob damaged the Officials Vehicle of ADC Kiphire. Another vehicle (Gypsy) bearing Regd. No.NL-06/1847 belonging to Shri. Yankiu Yimchunger, Secretary NPF state unit was also attacked and damaged where the driver was badly beaten up. The mob also confronted a Police Truck and destroyed the goods and ration of 3rd NAP Coy in Kiphire town which was heading towards Pungro and one of the occupants Havildar Signal), Tsathrong Yimchunger was also badly beaten. On the same day, a bridge on Tuensang-Shamator-Kiphire road was also damaged.
5. On the same day, the State Parliamentary Secretary for IPR, Eco. & Statistic was also humiliatingly halted at 16th km ahead of Kiphire town on pretext of law and order problem and made to return Kohima which was in fact on the direction of the Deputy Commissioner through junior officials along with some DB’s, instead of ensuring road clearance and a safe passage through proper and adequate security arrangements..
While all the above incidents were happening and that too in the full knowledge of the concern authority, the District Administration and the law enforcing agency claimed complete normalcy in complete contrast to the situation as above. The situation in the aftermath of the above continues to brew and be tensed in reality amongst the community concerned. It is therefore shocking and absolutely blatant, unbecoming and dangerously irresponsible on the part of the Head of the District Administration (D.C) to “conveniently” sweep the facts of his bungling, mishandling and administrative mismanagement under the carpet completely misleading the State Government with distorted and partisan facts, and subsequently creating unwanted communal tensions and shamelessly sowing seeds of discord in the process by such malpractices.
Unfortunately and regretfully, the distasteful statement of the Deputy Commissioner of Kiphire has come about just when optimum refrain has been applied and efforts being made on the part of the YTC to bring about a congenial and conductive atmosphere. However, is the Deputy Commissioner so intended to deliberately flare communal/tribal compassions and tensions? While normalcy is yet to return and a far cry as yet with appropriate redressals yet to be genuinely made, the YTC take this opportunity in good faith and concern in cautioning the Deputy Commissioner of Kiphire to stand above partisan practices And to refrain from one sided judgment, and to be cautious so as to be acceptable to all sections as responsible senior officer particularly in a state like Nagaland where unfortunately discrimination, sectarianism and tribalism etc., is a common practice. Lastly, truth is nobody’s monopoly but a matter of right and a privilege for either both or all. Twisted statements and facts can only come from people with twisted minds and hearts and the statements of the Deputy Commissioner of Kiphire undisputedly is a perfect example. The YTC would also like to know from D.C. of Kiphire over the matters being twisted outside Kiphire with facts and accounts failing which the YTC shall be compelled for demanding prima-facie evidences from the D.C. and shall also be equally compelled in reviewing our cooperation to the D.C of Kiphire.
In conclusion, had the District Administration and law enforcing agency of Kiphire maintained and practiced fairness in the governance of the district administration, perhaps Metümneo Festival of the Yimchungers and Mongmong Festival of the Sangtams could have been possible leaving other matters no matter what to be addressed separately or at later stages. Once again, is this not a case of misgovernance? Last but not the least, we would like to profoundly state that, this extended rejoinder has been made without any personal intentions or malice.
(KIUS CHUBA YIMCHUNGER)
Working President
(TOKIU.S YIMCHUNGER)
General Secretary
