With just a day left for its deadline for removal of Imkong L Imchen from the council of state ministers, the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee today threatened to launch a series of agitations from November 27 if its deamnd was not met.
At a hurriedly called press conference this afternoon, NPCC President S I Jamir said that at a meeting of the NPCC officials and frontal organizations held today, it was decided to launch the first phase of agitation by way of a poster campaign demanding Imchen's drop on Wednesday.
This, he said, would be followed by a sit-in-dharna in front of the State Civil Secretariat on November 29 and a 12-hour total bandh in some of the districts on December 3, which would also affect the ensuing Hornbill Festival of Nagaland.
He said that the NPCC proposal to boycott the 50th anniversary of the statehood on December 1 is being reconsidered as there have been suggestions from several corners and well wishers not to do so.
The final decision would be taken only after the sit-in-dharna.
Congress Legislature Party leader, Tohekho Yepthomi, who was also present in the press conference said since the police has already filed the charge-sheet against the then Home Minister Imkong Imchen for his alleged criminal activities during the state general elections on February 18 last, he should step down on moral ground or be dropped by the Chief Minister from the present council of ministers.
Yepthomi said that if the CM did not initiate action against Imchen, presently holding the charge of Minister for Health and Family Welfare, during the upcoming course of agitation, the December 3 bandh would be extended from 12 to 24 hours and so on till the demand was met.
NPCC on November 13 last submitted a representation to the Chief Minister, demanding that Imchen be dropped from the council of minister on allegations of his involvement in criminal activity on February 18 this year in Wokha district during the assembly elections, with Rs 1.1 crore in cash, arms and ammunition and liquor allegedly found in his possession by Assam Rifles.
