DAN Govt in crisis in Nagaland;NPCC seeks Guv's intervention

Kohima, June 2 (UNI) The Neiphiu Rio led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland(DAN) Government suffered yet another blow when suspended Nagaland Peoples Front(NPF) member K Therie claimed that a majority of the ruling combine had elected suspended NPF leader Z Obed to form an alternative government in the state.

In a swift development late last night, Mr Therie, a former finance minister, said he was the 'seasonal' Chairman of the DAN Legislative Party.

''In view of the worsening situation and rampant corruption prevent in the state, the majority of DAN members have expressed loss of confidence in the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and elected Mr Z Obed as their leader to stake claim to form an alternative DAN Government in Nagaland,'' Mr Therie said in a release.

He also warned the executive officers of the state not to carry out the orders of the 'minority' government.

Meanwhile, The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee(NPCC) petitioned to Governor K. Sankaranarayanan seeking his immediate intervention to 'redeem the people of Nagaland from the clutches of the diabolic Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government'.

An NPCC delegation, led by its president Hokheto Sumi, submitted a memorandum to the Governor at Raj Bhavan yesterday, a copy of which was made available to the press.

''At no point of time in the history of independent India, has any constitutionally elected government ever run the affairs of the state under the diktats of 'extra-constitutional organisation' like the present DAN government in Nagaland. All Government machineries have been totally subverted by underground groups during the last four and half years and the sanctity of the Constitution is being blatantly violated, rule of law has been undermined and the law of the land has become a mockery in the eyes of the public,'' the memorandum stated.

The NPCC president alleged that total lawlessness and chaos prevailed in almost all the towns and administrative headquarters.

''The underground groups have established their regular bases in civilian-inhabited areas but the administration is helpless in the matter,'' he said.

The memorandum appealed to the Governor to intervene in the matter and 'restore confidence in the minds of the people from this state of fear, panic and hysteria.' Meanwhile, chaotic conditions prevailed in the sate following reports of dissidence by 22 DAN members who submitted a memorandum to the Governor demanding a change in the leadership.

However, late in the evening, Agriculture Minister Kuzholuzo, along with seven Parliamentary Secretariers and two NPF legislators, submitted a memorandum to the Governor expressing their confidence in and support to the leadership of Mr Neiphiu Rio.

Addressing a press conference late in the evening, Mr Kuzholuzo said the list of 22 DAN legislators was an 'old document', which was re-submitted to the governor.

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