Nagaland polls different: Elect right person, say candidates

Kohima/ Dimapur, Feb 6: While an unique initiative has taken birth in Nagaland for a clean elections with candidates themselves asking public to elect a right candidate, the worrying factor is about militant groups who have decided to stay away from the state elections. There are lot of overlapping issues with the neighbouring states and there has been no explicit commitment on peace during the election on February 23. And, yesterday's major arms haul is a ominous development in the volatile northeast.

The security forces seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition from a suspected National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) man in Kohima. The seized materials included two AK 56 Rifles, three GSG-5 Rifles, one GSG-5 carbine and five 9mm Glock pistols along with 24 rounds of ammunition and Rs 10,170 in cash. The operation was conducted based on reliable information regarding the illegal shipment of arms and ammunition from Ukhrul to NSCN-IM headquarters at Hebron, Dimapur in a vehicle.

Clean election drive

In an interesting initiative, candidates from various political parties from across Tuensang district, comprising seven constituencies, gathered at a first ever programme on clean election campaign organized by Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organization (ENPO) and tribal bodies on Tuesday.

In a departure from bitter politics, Imtilemba, NCP candidate from 52 Longkhim-Chare, appealed to the public to elect the right and capable leader.

Other candidates echoed his sentiment and appealed to the people to elect right leader. They also assured people of change and bringing development if elected and promised free and fair election.

Another candidate C.M. Chang from NPF for 51 Noksen, said 'clean election' depended upon the public, saying it was up to the public to decide for quality leader who could bring development in the area.

In Mon Town, clean election campaign was held at Council Hall. The meeting was jointly organized by Konyak Baptist Bumeinok Bangjum (KBBB), Konyak Union (K.U), Konyak Nyupuh Shekho Khong (KNSK) and Konyak Students' Union (KSU).

The candidates of Mon district solemnly signed a pledge for clean election and work for the development and welfare of the people of the district.

Ban or arms

In another development, following the directive of the Election Commission, the Cease Fire Monitoring Group has banned the major three underground groups in Nagaland - NSCN Isak-Muivah, NSCN-Khaplang and GPRN/NSCN (NSCN-Khole Kitovi) from moving around with arms and ammunition in the state from tomorrow till February 23, the date for Assembly elections in the state.

Chairman of the Cease Fire Monitoring Group (CFMG), Maj Gen (Rtd) N George has said that all members of the three NSCNs, including identity card holders have been banned from carrying any type of weapons from February 7 to 23 next as per directives issued by the Election Commission. The CFMG chairman said ban has been imposed to avoid tension that can result in violence thereby disrupting free and fair polls in the state.

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