Kohima, July 4 : The Tenyimi Peoples’ Organisation (TPO) has blamed the state government for lawlessness in Intangki National Park.
The organisation condemned the murder of two persons and injury to two at United Naga village inside the park in an attack by unidentified gunmen on June 30.
In a relesae, it held the government “responsible for the lawlessness” and stressed that “Intangki should not be made a battlefield amongst Naga brothers”.
It termed the incident an attempt to manipulate the situation in favour of those who orchestrated the attack.
“The TPO rejects the tactics as unacceptable and calls upon all Nagas to take the same stand,” it said. It called for “legal and non-violent process” to save Intangki’s 20,202 hectares.
The Zeliangrong Baudi (hoho) also condemned the killing, calling it cowardly. “To take the law into one’s own hands cannot be tolerated,” it said in a statement.
“Bloodshed cannot solve any issue among the Nagas and it was unfortunate that the incident took place in our district. We appeal to the people to remain calm so that communalism and parochialism is nipped in the bud,” the statement said.
The hoho appealed to the Nagas to preserve the park “at any cost”.
“Certain forces are bent upon creating problems among the Nagas but when killing is on the rise, Nagas must remain united to counter external threat,” it stated.
The organisation appreciated the intervention of the district administration, which took stock of the situation on time.
“The government must make sure that no untoward incident takes place. At a time when the Nagas dream of peace and reconciliation, killing, extortion and anti-social activities must be avoided at all cost,” it stated and appealed to the people to be patient, sincere and committed in maintaining peace.
The Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF), the main constituent of the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland, also condemned the incident.
“It is unfortunate that miscreants created such panic and loss of precious human lives,” an NPF release said.
Dismissing the Congress’ allegation, the NPF claimed that the government had not wasted any time in handling the situation.
The United Naga village (formerly Inavi) is inside the national park and the Tenyimi Peoples’ Organisation has been asking the state government to evict the encroachers.
The villagers agreed to move out of the park if other people from other villages in the park do the same.
The organisation, which comprises over 10 Naga tribes from Nagaland, Assam and Manipur claim the ownership of the park.
The villagers of United Naga are mostly Naga tribes who are not affiliated to the organisation.
The Western Sumi Hoho rejected the state government’s high-level inquiry committee into the attack and gave the government a 15-day ultimatum to arrest the attackers.
It also rejected the government’s ex gratia of Rs 1 lakh each to the next of kin of those killed and Rs 50,000 each to the injured.
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