Dimapur, Feb. 19: The abortive bid of the Naga National Council (NNC) to hold its reconciliation meeting at Wokha yesterday has spawned a fresh round of accusations and counter-charges.
Responding to the NNC?s allegation that the state government had sabotaged the Wokha meet, chief minister Neiphiu Rio today hit back, saying that the NNC was trying to pass the buck for its own failures.
Rio also said those involved in organising the now-doomed show of unity were not genuine leaders but those who were trying to make a mockery of the people.
?In this conducive atmosphere, do you think anybody can sabotage any serious peace and unity effort? There will be a hue and cry if such things are done,? responded Rio categorically when reminded that the NNC had bluntly blamed his government for ?sabotaging? the proposed Wokha meet.
When mediapersons pointed out that NNC general secretary V. Nagi had said the NNC was forced to call off the meet following restrictions imposed by the government and abduction of NNC leaders by the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), the chief minister reiterated that ?those who fail, come up with excuses.?
He also said the ?decision of the district administration was its own? and the state government had nothing to do with it.
?Section 144 CrPC is imposed by the district administration based on their assessment of the ground situation. The deputy commissioner also mentioned that because of a crucial examination, he could not take chances,? the chief minister said.
Rio also informed that on learning about the involvement of some government employees and pensioners in the now-cancelled NNC meet, he has forwarded the list of the government servants who have been identified to the chief secretary for further action.
Rio further said the state government was continuing its role as a facilitator in the peace process by trying to help the mass-based organisations in every manner possible, including providing funds.
?Unlike in the past, when the previous government said they were maintaining equidistance whereas actually they had an intense affair with one group while distancing themselves from another group, we are different. We maintain ?equi-closeness? with all and are doing everything to create an ambience for them to continue the peace process in the right direction,? Rio added.
The NNC continued its tirade against the state government and the NSCN (I-M) today as well. After bluntly blaming both for ?sabotaging the Wokha meet? by imposing a series of restrictions and abducting of its leaders, the NNC today claimed that its top leader in the Lotha region was abducted by NSCN (I-M) militants yesterday.
According to the NNC, three leaders ? Khoshako, the general secretary of the outfit?s Lotha region, Ntsemo and former ?major general? of the Federal Government of Nagaland army were abducted from their homes by NSCN (I-M) militants on Monday night. The hostages are all septuagenarians.
Earlier last week, the Wokha meet had run into rough weather with the NSCN (I-M) mocking the meet as ?ridiculous?.