Advisor state lottery and NBDA, Naiba Konyak on behalf of Mon district legislators issued a clarification in connection with Home minister, Y. Patton’s speech during ‘Lao-Ong Mo’ festival at Mon.
Naiba stated that the Mon NPF division president, Yanlong Konyak and general secretary, Wango Konyak had created the misunderstanding and confusion among the people.
He clarified that Patton, at no point of time in his speech, had mentioned the name of late Kiyanilie Peseyie. Naiba said that the accusation against Patton was “totally fabricated with an attempt to politicize the well-intended festival by the two self-styled leaders and defame the Konyak community.”
Naiba said it was unfortunate that the duo had tried to mislead the Naga public and the bereaved family by concocting Patton’s speech with ulterior political motive.
He stated that the MLAs of Mon district in particular and the Konyak people in general held every leader, brothers and sisters irrespective of tribe with outmost respect and never had any intention to hurt anybody during such an auspicious occasion. “We believe in peaceful coexistence of all tribes,” Naiba added.
In this regard, Naiba said the legislators have condemned the ulterior motive of Yanlong and Wango and also appealed to the public not to be carried away by such “allegation and propaganda”.
NPF Mon division responds: Reacting to Home minister, Y. Patton’s clarification NPF Mon division president, L. Yanlong Konyak and general secretary (adm) Wango Konyak affirmed that the alleged statement made by Patton was “a clear factual and reality that involved countless witness to proof.”
They said when Patton stood up to speak, the people had anticipated that the community would benefited by his encouragement. “But not a single word for the same was complimented on the occasion related to festival,” they said.
Yanlong and Wango claimed that Patton’s lengthy speech “was only against his rivals and insult.”
He dishonoured the Lao Ong Mo festival by making such political speech, which was beyond one’s imagination, they said, adding that it was condemnable and uncalled for to desecrate the event.
Yanlong and Wango further went on to claim that Patton, while addressing the people in Nagamese, had allegedly said– “paro jun tha ki se, ek jun muri se, edia ekro jun ase”. To this, the two asked as to who was Patton referring to? “Isn’t it late Kiyanilie Peseyie who passed away among the twelve or someone else?” Yanlong and Wango asked.
With regard to the caution by Patton to prove their claims or face legal action, the two said that if he (Patton) needed proof of his speech, the people who attended the event were the proof to justify his speech. Therefore, they wondered what proof Patton needed beyond thousand witnesses.
Yanlong and Wango said Patton’s denial and the demand for apology/ legal action was illogical and unacceptable.
Family members of late Peseyie appeal
Family members of late Kiyanilie Peseyie have made a fervent appeal to all “to kindly let the matter rest and allow the departed soul to rest in peace.”
In an emailed statement, the family said that late Peseyie, in his lifetime, had always strived to be the unifying bond to bring different people together to work for a common goal and for the welfare of everybody. “Even in his death, the family members would like to keep this ethos alive,” it added. Stating that the family members held no ill feelings towards any individuals/groups, they hoped with utmost sincerity that the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation would prevail.