JCC, CVC WARN CANDIDATES; NCD TO HOLD PUBLIC RALLY; CPO TO TAKE ACTION; LHJAC APPEALS
A day before January 17, the last date for withdrawal of nominations, various tribe organisations and councils have reaffirmed their total opposition against the state government for brushing aside their concerns and going ahead with the February 1, 2017 elections to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and also issued last reminder to all candidates to withdraw nominations.
Joint Co-ordination Committee (JCC) of Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) on Sunday made a clarion call to all NPF party candidates of Dimapur to come out from the hiding and to immediately withdraw nominations for the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) election 2017. If the candidates fail to comply with the appeal, they would be expelled from Dimapur jurisdiction, JCC asserted.
CNTC comprises of Ao, Sema and Lotha tribe and the recently formed JCC was also joined by Western Chakesang Hoho (WCH) and Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO).
Addressing media persons here on Sunday, JCC convener Supu Jamir, co-convener Vekhosayi Nyekha and secretary Renbo Ngullie, informed that the resolution was adopted at a meeting between Naga Council Dimapur (NCD), CNTC and JCC on Sunday at Lotha Hoho-Ki Dimapur. They said other candidates from Dimapur had expressed willingness to withdraw their nominations if the NPF party candidates comply with the call notice of NCD, CNTC and JCC.
Meanwhile, CNTC and JCC under the banner of NCD resolved to organise a mass public rally in Dimapur in the event of non-compliance of the unanimous resolution at an appropriate time after January 17.
Ward 18 candidate asked to immediately withdraw: JCC has also directed NPF party candidate of Ward 18, Aphien Pame to immediately withdraw her nomination failing which the three apex body warned of stern action. They maintained she was not eligible to contest as she falls under the Rongmei community.
CVC, 16 tribal units issue ‘last warning’: Chumoukedima Village Council (CVC) along with leaders of 16 tribal units of Chumukedima town on Sunday decided to issue the “last notice/warning” to candidates under its jurisdiction to withdraw nomination papers by January 16, 2017.
CVC chairman, Razouvotuo Chatsu in a press note informed that CVC and the 16 tribal units held a meeting on January 15 at Chakhroma Public Organisation Hall and unanimously resolved to issue the last notice and adopted several resolutions.
Citing the “undertaking bond” letter, signed by the candidates who were yet to withdraw nominations, CVC warned that if they failed to comply with the last notice, they would be expelled/excommunicated from Chumukedima area. The house has advised the candidates to “treat this warning notice with all seriousness, that no, undesired, ugly consequences could happen”.
CVC, the tribal units and neighbouring villages have also appealed to the state government to postpone the ULB elections until the issue was thoroughly deliberated, rectified and reach a desirable settlement. While urging the government to listen to the cries of the Naga people, CVC cautioned that the public may instead learn from the present issue and “stop supporting the party who rules by iron hand.”
CPO to take action: Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO) has expressed gratitude on all candidates who had filed their nominations but withdrew as per CPO resolution. Further CPO through its vice president Ariyi Nienu and press secretary Wekhrope Marhu has urged Chozuba Range Public Organisation (CRPO) and Phek Area Public Organisation (PAPO) to “immediately submit” antecedents of “every defaulting candidates” to CPO office by January 16, 2017 for implementing its resolution “with immediate effect”.
CPO has also directed all area presidents, VCCs, GBs, Phek Town Youth Society and ward chairmen to assist the Chakhesang Youth Front (CYF) for detailing youths during the course of taking action against the “defaulters”. CPO has directed all the area/range president(s) and executive council members to reach its office on January 16, 2017.
CPO also cautioned that it has been marking those “who have become incendiary in playing bigger roles behind the screen against the wishes of Chakhesangs, all through this period of turmoil over ULB election.” CPO warned that it will not remain “silent” over their activities and to realise it on time.
CYF directives: In pursuance to the CPO resolution, Chakhesang Youth Front (CYF) has asked the respective area/range president, village council chairman, youth president/chairman and GBs to mobilize and depute volunteers to the designated places on January 17 at 10 a.m.
According to CYF president Welete Kapfo and general secretary Chubutse Kapfo, Pfutsero Town Youth Forum, Chokhri area, Chozuba area, Sekruzu area and Western Chakhesang Youth Organization would be deployed at Chozuba town. In Phek town- Khezha/Kuzha area, Razeba Range, Centre Chakhesang, Chizami area, Phek area, Tizu area and Chakhesang Youth Organisation Kohima would be deployed. Further, CYF warned that necessary action would be initiated against organization failing to comply with the directive.
LHJAC appeal to candidates: Lotha Hoho Joint Action Committee (LHJAC) comprising of frontal organizations and villages on Sunday, at a meeting held at Lotha Tribal Council Hall, “unanimously resolved” to once again appeal to the candidates from the community to immediately withdraw their candidatures for the civic body polls in the larger interest of the Lothas and Nagas in general.
In a press note, LHJAC said the committee adopted a four-point resolution which would be imposed, if any candidate failed to withdraw his/her candidature for the ULB polls– i. Lotha public will not recognize his/her status even if elected/elected unopposed and will not co-operate him/her; ii. Lotha public will bar him/her from having affiliation with any Lotha organizations including presently held posts or status; iii. Lotha Public will with immediate effect de-recognize his/her membership as a Lotha along with his/her entire family members from Lotha community, and iv. For any eventuality in this regard, the concerned candidate/s will be fully accountable and the LHJAC will not be responsible.
Further, LHJAC has questioned the NPF Central leadership for issuing stern warning to candidates of other districts (not to withdraw nominations) when the party had failed to even file a single candidate in Kohima and Mokokchung districts.
“Isn’t the directive itself a mockery?” LHJAC wondered, saying NPF candidates and NPF leaders of other districts should blame their central leadership for the misleading directive.