Nagaland Chief Minister writes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Kohima, Aug 16: Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang today has sought the urgent intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards the release of nine state security personnel, who are being kept hostage by group of Adivasis at Golaghat district of Assam.

Zeliang in a letter to the Prime Minister said, "vehicles attached to Nagaland parliamentary secretary for Transport and Information and Public Relations Paiwang Konyak, along with his personal staff and security personnel, were proceeding to Jorhat Airport in order to pick him up as he was scheduled to land there from Kolkata yesterday."

However, a huge mob of Adivasis stopped and surrounded the convoy, he said. The Nagaland chief minister stated that the matter was immediately taken up with the Government of Assam at the official level.

Despite assurances, he said, there was no respite and the Nagaland party consisting of nine personnel and private secretary of the parliamentary secretary were held hostage. Zeliang also disclosed that he had personally talked with his Assam counterpart, Tarun Gogoi last evening seeking his intervention and help.

Gogoi had reportedly assured Zeliang that the matter would be tackled. However, he said that, the convoy continues to be detained at the same location near Golaghat, and the state government is extremely worried about the fate of the security personnel and the private secretary to the parliamentary secretary.

Zeliang also disclosed that the incident arose due to clashes that have taken place between the Nagas and the Adivasis in the adjoining areas of Wokha district in Nagaland and Golaghat district of Assam during the past week, leading to loss of precious lives.

"The government of Nagaland is taking all possible steps to ensure that the situation does not escalate," Zeliang said adding that police have registered criminal cases, and already arrested eight persons in this connection.

He also said that the Nagaland government has instituted an inquiry into the facts and circumstances leading to the unfortunate incident.

Zeliang sought the urgent intervention of the prime minister in securing the release of the Nagaland party that is being kept hostage, and if necessary through the intervention of Central forces, as the Assam police have not been able to secure their release.

PTI