Rejoinder by Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu (Naga People's Front)

July 17, 2020 , Kohima

Apropos a news item under the caption, ‘NDPP flays NPF’s illogical stand’ that appeared in local dailies dated 16th July 2020, I am constrained to issue this rejoinder.

The letter of the Hon’ble Governor dated 16th June 2020 written to the Chief Minister of Nagaland was published by the Nagaland local dailies on 26th June 2020. The Governor has pointed out the failures of the State Government point by point and concluded that ‘law and order has collapsed’.

There was no comment from any circle for several days, may be because we are now going through a very abnormal situation due to Covid-19, in which the number of confirmed cases on 25th May to 902 on 16th July.

Then on 30th June, the Chief Minister, after the Cabinet meeting, has told the newspaper reporters that ‘law and order situation has tremendously improved as compared to pre-ceasefire in the 60’s and late 90’s.

On 1st July, 2020 the NSF in their statement has said that ‘the Governor’s letter reveals Centre unwillingness to solve Naga issue.’ The same day, Naga Rising, another group also has said that ‘certain ambiguity in Governor’s letter needs clarity.’

They also claimed that ‘law and order situation has drastically improved and peaceful during the last two decades’. They also reminded the Governor of the chilling situation till later part of 1990.

On 3rd July, the NPF Legislature Party had given their comment on the response of the State Government to the Governor, RN Ravi’s letter. After expressing their views on various points, they have pointed out that the response of the State Government holds no water and claimed that ‘the common men in the market are better versed with the reality than the State Government.

I have also issued a short statement the next day in which I have supported the views expressed by Mr. Achumbemo Kikon, Secretary General of NPF in the North East TV debate on 30th June that the Chief Minister should step down on moral ground since law and order has been declared collapsed by the Governor.

I have also said that Naga political problem and law and order are two different things which we should not mix up. Next, I have also said that extortion has got nothing to do with the Naga political problem and no organization in Nagaland would support it.

Out of many points mentioned in the letter, collapse of law and order in the State was a serious one. As per normal of democracy, when law and order fails in a State, those who are holding the rein of that Government should own responsibility, they cannot shift the responsibility to others. And when they own the responsibility, they should step down on ‘moral ground’.

The question of morality is involved here. Morality is important for those who understand human virtues. If any one does not understand it, let the matter end there and allow the people to evaluate their moral degree. NDPP leaders were surprised for my supporting such stand but I am also surprised to find them floating around without touching the ground.

They are also talking about logic. If they want to go by it, let them come forwards to justify their stand point by point in the Governor’s letter. They said that ‘law and order situation has tremendously improved as compared to pre-ceasefire in the 60’s and 90’s.’ But the Governor was not talking about the situation of 20 years back, he is talking about the situation of today and of 20, 30 years back.

It appears, sometime they forget that they are running the government. A Government is expected to talk about its achievements and its programs. In spite of doing that they take more interest in gossip type of talk. For example, they started talking about NPF organizing ‘beef festival’. What is wrong if we organize such festival.

Even if they take it as a weapon to win the favour of non-beef eating people to go against us, we are not worried because beef eating is part of our food culture. They banned dog meat also recently. Let us watch how NDPP people will observe the ban. They talked about the crisis of ULB election in Nagaland in which lives were lost and office buildings were burnt down.

It was very sad indeed but the next question is “Who is responsible for all these incidents?” Let the public guess and bring out the answer by themselves. They even alleged that NPF is trying to create a rift between them and the Governor, but we will advise them not to have such imaginary fear if they only know who the Governor is.

For few statements and comments issued by the NPF about Governor’s letter, they said that NPF exposed their frustration for sitting in the opposition but who knows, it may turn out to be their own frustration in due course of time.

Sd/
(Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu)
President,
Naga People’s Front.