Nagaland Lokayukta investigation into Deputy Chief Minister

Kohima, 21st September 2020

The Naga People’s Front is appalled over the callous and indifferent attitude displayed by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio in the matter of the Nagaland Lokayukta investigation into the Deputy Chief Minister, Y Patton’s infamous remark complaint case filed by a concerned youth.

In a 31-page report signed on 18th September 2020, Justice Uma Nath Singh, it is learnt that the Lokayukta of Nagaland chapter has observed that the Chief Minister “Keeps a veiled contempt for the Rule of Law” stating the Chief Minister has disappointingly failed to assist the Lokayukta in a manner befitting his office for reasons best known to him.

The Hon’ble Lokayukta further implied in his observation that the Chief Minister has failed to rise above petty local politics and has created an impression that the enquiry has been deliberately delayed to suit some political expediency.

This order clearly reflects the poor state of affairs in the entire government machinery where the immoral practice of manipulation of the system to the advantage of the people who are at the helm of affairs has reached its zenith.

The NPF recalls that the PDA government of Nagaland had, in august 2020, sought to remove the Nagaland Lokayukta from his office by writing to the Supreme Court citing impropriety and abuse of power as reasons.

In the light of the Lokayukta Order under discussion, we are convinced that the futile attempt was a pre-emptive effort by the PDA Government to oust the Nagaland Lokayukta from his office before he could make these scathing observations in his judgement on the Deputy CM case.

The NPF concurs with the judgement and observation of the Hon’ble Nagaland Lokayukta wherein, he has pointed out the irregularities committed by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Nagaland in particular and the PDA Government in general.

This Order of the Lokayukta is the most recent in a series of deplorable episodes that proves that this PDA Government is not bothered at all about the welfare of the people it purports to govern and exposes the deep-rooted manipulation and corruption in the day-to-day governance of the present PDA Government.

The recommendation of the Lokayukta against the Advocate General of Nagaland Mr. KN Balgopal must be taken seriously because the position of AG is constitutional, not political and as such, whoever holds the said post ought to render his services fairly without any excuses.

However, the opinion and recommendation against the AG by the Lokayukta is a poor reflection of the image of the PDA as to how this present government is even misusing this constitutional post of the AG.

Therefore, time and again, the NPF reiterate that, if the PDA Government could not fulfill the aspirations of the people should step down on moral ground and pave the way for an alternate Government for the betterment of the Naga society.

Issued by:
Press Bureau,
Naga People’s Front,
Central Headquarters,
Kohima: Nagaland.