Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) Mokokchung region has issued a statement against the allegation and condemnation of chief minister Neiphiu Rio for recommending the postponement of present notification of delimitation exercise. A press release from NDPP Mokokchung region president, N. Bendang Jamir and general secretary, S. Bendang Aier has termed the decision as “unfair and tribalistic attitude” by Lotha Hoho and Lotha Students’ Union (LSU) was unfortunate and immature on their part.
NDPP Mokokchung region stated that it was discussed and agreed at the cabinet meeting on March 2 and the same was conveyed to secretary, ministry of home affairs, GOI by principal secretary, home government of Nagaland on March 4 by submitting certain issues concerning delimitation exercise for consideration by GOI.
NDPP Mokokchung region maintained that the chief minister while addressing the 45th general conference of Nagaland Civil Service Association (NCSA) on March 5 at RCEMPA Jotsoma, stated the state cabinet was of the view that since the Naga political issue was in an advanced stage for solution and was hoping for increase in the number of seats in the assembly, the delimitation exercise should be deferred.
NDPP Mokokchung region also said on March 12, chief minister wrote to union home minister, Amit Shah that the delimitation exercise on the basis of 2001 census “at this crucial juncture was not advisable and was recommended that the exercise may be kept in abeyance for some time”.
Under these circumstances, NDPP Mokokchung region reminded that the chief minister had not taken any “deceitful step to hurt the sentiments of any tribes or any individuals at any cost”.
Further, NDPP Mokokchung region appealed to all the right thinking citizens of Nagaland to “understand the situation and give its fullest support to the decision of the PDA government”.