Jamir: Calling for cooperation

Kohima, May 3: A week after the Congress gave a clean chit to the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) for its non-involvement in the poll process, former chief minister S.C. Jamir today said if the militants interfered, it would “dilute the long-standing demand of the Naga people”.

In a release here, Jamir reiterated that he believed that statehood was not the final solution to the Naga political problem.

He said if the present political process is to be concluded honourably, co-operation and support of all national political parties is required, “especially the Congress”.

Governor Shyamal Datta asked the Congress to fax a copy of its memorandum about the intimidation of voters by armed cadres of the NSCN (I-M) to the senior police officials of the state.

“Unlike in the 2003 Assembly elections when the NSCN (I-M) in particular actively canvassed for candidates of their choice, it was expected that armed cadres of both the factions would not get involved in the parliamentary elections of 2004,” the memorandum states.

The document also carried claims of movements of armed militants in various districts.

In a letter to the chief election commissioner yesterday, the Congress had alleged that there were 30 armed cadre of the outfit in former chief minister S.C. Jamir’s native village Ungma in Aonglenden Assembly constituency.

Last week, Congress working president Hokheto Sumi had said the party did not find any involvement of militants this time. Earlier last year, Jamir, while leaving the office of the chief minister, had told reporters that the Assembly elections were a war between him and the NSCN (I-M).

A week later though, the scenario changed. The party alleged there are 11 cadre in Kubza village of Aonglenden Assembly constituency, 30 in Sungratsu village in Koridang constituency and 30 in Akhoia and Chuchuyimlang villages of Arkakong constituency — all in Mokokchung district.

It also complained that the rebels were moving from village to village in Bhandari Assembly constituency of Wokha district. “A self-styled central administrative officer had written to the leacy [MLA of the NSCN(I-M)] under Bhandari block to canvas for the National People’s Front (NPF) candidate and to send the details of duty report to the officer on or before May 4, 2004. (A copy of the letter written in Lotha Naga dialect and a translation of the same is also enclosed for reference),” it said.

The party also claimed the NSCN (I-M)’s presence in Meluri constituency of Phek district.

During the Assembly elections last year, the Congress had alleged that the NSCN (I-M) was threatening village council members and gaonburas with dire consequences if they voted for the Congress.

The Congress has been alleging all through that the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government is “hand-in-glove” with the NSCN (I-M) and that it is a “remote-controlled” government.