Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC), which is spearheading the movement against the state government, today remained steadfast in its demand and set a three-day deadline for Chief Minister T R Zeliang to step down on "moral grounds".
NTAC took the stand during its coordination committee meeting convened in Kohima which was attended by 155 office bearers 14 apex tribal bodies of the state along with Joint Coordination Committee (JCC), which is also playing a leading role in the protests.
The meeting discussed the standoff between the Zeliang government and the tribal bodies and felt that the loss of three lives, injuries to several others and damage to properties was due to the "betrayal" by the state cabinet to "the gentleman's agreement" of January 30 signed at Chumukedima.
The chief minister and the state home minister had agreed in principle to postpone the elections for two months and signed a tripartite agreement at Chumukedima on January 30.
They said the chief minister instead of owning moral responsibility and stepping down, continued to hold on to office. "He continues with his contempt and insult against the tribal bodies and the public."
Stating that such mentality is "a threat to social peace and life and therefore is not only acceptable but demands immediate remedy", the meeting unanimously resolved that Zeliang should step down on "moral grounds" within three days with effect from tomorrow.
The resolution which was made available to the press also asked Zeliang not to politicise the ongoing "historic movement under any circumstance".
Deciding not to attend tomorrow's consultative meeting convened by the chief minister or any other future meetings to be convened by him, the meeting decided that any leader attending them would be treated as "anti-Naga".
The meeting also resolved that the urban local body (ULB) election in the state cannot be held until and unless thorough amendments are made in Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001 by safeguarding the powers conferred under Article 371 (A) of Constitution of India.
It also demanded that the state cabinet decision to submit
a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking exemption from Part IX A of the Constitution should not be submitted under any circumstances since the Nagaland assembly is "fully empowered to take its own decision" on this matter.
The meeting also reiterated the Naga bodies' demand to issue suspension order against Dimapur commissioner of police, police officers of Longleng, and all involved in the firings in the two places.
The tribal organisations present in the meeting also authorised JCC and NTAC, Kohima to lead the "historic movement" and affirmed to abide by their decision and direction till the demands are fulfilled.
