Source: Oken Jeet Sandham (NEPS)*
Kohima, March 17 2010:
Nagaland Minister for Forest and Environment MC Konyak lambasted the Opposition Congress in the State for dragging him once again in "Singphan Wildlife Hunting issue" which was put to rest after the accusers had publicly tendered "apology" to him.
NPCC President I Imkong and CLP Leader Tokheho Yepthomi while talking to press on Tuesday announced to observe 12-hour state-wide bandh in protest against the DAN Government's corruptions, misrules and anomalies.
One of the points for staging the bandh was "Singphan Wildlife Hunting Scam".
Describing as "most strange" the actions of the Opposition Congress in the state for raking up the issue which was put to rest, the Minister, while talking to NEPS here on Wednesday, said he was completely taken aback when he came to know "Singphan issue" was one of the 10 points for them (Congress) to organize bandh in the state on March 20 .
Recalling the "wild allegation" thrown against him that he had violated Wildlife Act by killing wild animals in Singphan Reserved Forest, Konyak said the whole episode was nothing but political motivated acts especially to tarnish his public image and to hamper developmental progress in the Reserved Forest.
"Since it was a wild allegation, I have issued a legal notice against those who had damaged his public image," he stated.
Finally, they had tendered public apology which appeared in local papers, he added.
"So the matter ends there," he said questioning the Opposition Congress of their motives behind raking up the issue once again.
Konyak once again sought cooperation from all sections of people in his sincere attempt to save and develop the forest and making it as one of the Wildlife Sanctuaries in the State.
Assuring further that during his tenure as Minister of Forest and Environment, he would do whatever possible to see that major projects were coming up through various initiatives and departments revamped.