NPF Central Youth Wing began its 4-day sit-in demonstration outside the Raj Bhavan Kohima Friday, accusing the Governor P.B. Acharya of violation of the constitution of India by installing an unconstitutional government headed by T.R. Zeliang.
It may be recalled that the Governor had dismissed then chief minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsü on July 19 after the latter failed to turn up for the floor test which the Governor summoned and swore in T.R. Zeliang on the same evening. The Governor’s summons was contested by NPF on the ground that the issue was an internal matter of the party and that there was neither any split nor any motion of no confidence moved against Dr. Shürhozelie by legislators.
Hundreds of NPF party workers took part in the sit-in and were also joined by several NPF legislators owing allegiance to the party president Dr. Shürhozelie.
Addressing the party workers, NPF spokesman Yitachu, MLA voiced out that Nagas want a Governor “who knows the constitution of India and who loves Nagas and who would protect them as per the constitution”. He reminded that the same Governor had hit out against corruption in the government but when it came to applying the rule of the constitution “lost his integrity and principle by indulging in the mother of all corruptions- in installing an unconstitutional government.”
The former minister also demanded that if the government of India had genuine concern for the Naga people then it should appoint a better person as Governor of the state who would abide and function according to the constitution of India. He said in case the government of India did not want to implement its own constitution in Nagaland then the Nagas should be allowed to frame their own constitution. Yitachu also said the Governor ought to be present to listen to people instead of running away from the state whenever crisis occurs. He also said it would be a gross miscalculation on the part of the Governor if he thought Nagas would not raise their voice against “unconstitutional politics.” Yitachu also hit out at the present government by saying that the Indian constitution has no provision where a government could be formed without a political party.
He said chief minister T.R. Zeliang’s claim of being in majority has to be backed by rules of the constitution. Yitachu also challenged the legislators with T.R. Zeliang to merge with any party if they wanted since they have been expelled from the NPF.
Yitachu also expressed disappointment with the civil society organisations for their silence about the unconstitutional methods used to install an unconstitutional government. He reiterated that NPF will not allow unconstitutional practices in Nagaland.
He also hit out at the selection of Neiphiu Rio, MP as the “interim president” of NPF, saying Nagas were not so foolish to accept such a self-styled interim president.
Yitachu also hit out at Neiphiu Rio saying that instead of nurturing his newly floated party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), he (Rio) was trying to “hijack and dismantle the whole NPF set up through his money power.”
He asked, whether such a leadership can take Naga people to any greater height, when he should be telling Nagas about the unconstitutional events that had taken place?
Tohanba MLA said that by his arbitrary action, the Governor has destroyed the constitutional rights of Nagas but assured that NPF would rise to protect the rights of the people. He also reiterated that Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsü remain as the only president of NPF as the constitution has no post of ‘Interim President’.
NPF working president, Huskha Yepthomi appealed to the Centre to recall P.B. Acharya if it wanted the Naga people to live under the Indian constitution.
He also demanded that Acharya must own moral responsibility for failing to uphold constitution of India and protect the people or leave Nagaland within 24 hours. He said a man who had no knowledge about the constitution cannot be its custodian. He said if there had been no law in the state, Naga people can enter the Raj Bhavan and remove Acharya from office. Huskha warned that Nagas were losing patience and the Governor should either dismiss the “unconstitutional government headed by T.R. Zeliang” or retreat from Raj Bhavan himself. He also hit out at the MLAs in the government saying they have no right to talk as NPF since they were no longer members.
The following- Kuzholuzo Neinu, Chotisuh Sazo, C.L. John, Thongwang (MLAs) and members of NPF CEC, farmer’s wing, women’s wing participated in the sit-in which ended at 4 p.m.