The Rengma Public Organization Kohima (RPOK) has expressed shock over the alleged threatening of chief secretary, R. Binchilo Thong by deputy chief minister Y. Patton.
RPOK president, Khinyi Woch and general secretary, Kenny Semp, in a press release stated that the organization learnt from reliable sources that the deputy chief minister threatened the chief secretary over the phone in a matter of discharge of his (Thong’s) official duties and threatened “to finish him off” on his (Patton’s) return to Kohima. “Such practice is not only unbecoming of a senior legislator holding a respected post in the state government in the level of Dy. Chief Minister but also a unacceptable behaviour on the part of the Dy. Chief Minister” the release said.
This, it added, not only undermines and disrespects the office of the chief secretary but also the incumbent.
Expressing displeasure, the Rengma Public Organization Kohima said if an official in the reasonable discharge of his official duties could be subjected to such intimidating and unruly treatment, it fears that governance and a conducive environment for peaceful functioning of the government machinery will lose its place and compromise the rights of government officials and citizens alike. Such acts, the Rengma Public Organization Kohima asserted, are neither acceptable nor justified.
Vehemently condemning “the obnoxious behaviour” of the deputy chief minister, the organization demanded that the appropriate authority takes suitable action as deemed fit for such behaviour as per law to ensure good governance and a conducive environment.