NPF (MSU) defends TR Zeliang
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 17 2016: Strongly reacting to the din following the statement of Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang on the three Bills passed by the State Assembly on August 31 last year, the State unit of the Naga People's Front has raised a number of question.

In a statement issued to the press today, NPF, Manipur State unit questioned why four NPF MLAs resigned from the Assembly, if the three Bills passed on August 31 last year are good for the tribal people and added why Chief Minister O Ibobi has not replied to the protest raised by the tribal people.

The three Bills are Manipur People's Protection Bill, MLR-LR Act 1960 (7th Amendment) Bill 2015 and Shops and Establishment (2nd Amendment Bill) 2015. If the three Bills are good for the people why was there such a strong protest and people burnt down the houses of MLAs and Ministers in Manipur Tribal areas, asked NPF and added that 9 civilians were shot dead while protesting against the Bills and their bodies are yet to be buried even after 160 days.

The Chief Minister of Manipur failed to convince the people and his own house is burning, alleged NPF and questioned why he should be pointing fingers at the Chief Minister of Nagaland.

If the Bills are against the interest of the tribals and the Nagas, why should Naga leaders support the Bills, further asked NPF.

Zeliang spoke his mind out for he has the concerns of the tribal people, said NPF and added why O Ibobi and the JCILPS should question TR Zeliang on this.

Instead they should be questioning why the tribal people are not happy with the three Bills.

The Chief Minister of Nagaland is not interfering in the governance of Manipur but was only showing his concern for the people whom Manipur Government under Ibobi's leadership continues to suppress, namely the Nagas and minorities in Manipur.

The Naga People's Front, Manipur State Unit also expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister of Nagaland for his concern towards the Nagas and minorities in Manipur.

The Chief Minister of Mizoram and other leaders of the neighbouring State cutting across party lines have a great concern for the life of the people of Manipur while Manipur Government has no concern for the people and the State continues to witness killings and harassment unabated.

The NPF/MSU also strongly condemned the Manipur police commandos who assaulted and snatched mobile phones of leaders of Naga Students' Federation on February 13 at Koirengei.

The State police commandos used abusive language and threatened to eliminate them, alleged NPF and demanded that the police commandos involved in the case should be immediately terminated and shown exemplary disciplinary action.

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