“If I have defamed the GBs or if my words have brought about communal disharmony, then I can be taken to the court, I can be arrested, FIR can be filed against me. And so the question of going to the GBs association does not arise”, said RPP chief Joel.
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
Rising People’s Party (RPP) on Saturday categorically refused to entertain a “show-cause notice” which had been served to its president Joel Naga by the Dimapur Gaon Buras’ (GB) Association and termed it as “technically invalid”.
Addressing a press conference called at the Emerald Inn, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur, the president of the party stated that the show cause notice is a mechanism that is “applicable only among members of the same organisation” while listing two major reasons which he said he would not disclose. He refused to respond to the show-cause notice.
Joel termed that issuing a “show cause notice” in this context as “technically invalid” and asserted that he was expressing his opinion and that he is not answerable to anyone for his opinion.
“If I have defamed the GBs or if my words have brought about communal disharmony, then I can be taken to the court, I can be arrested, FIR can be filed against me. And so the question of going to the GBs association does not arise”, he said.
In the press conference, Joel Naga admitted that he had shared his personal opinion to a Youtube Channel stating that there is no need of Gaonbura(s) in urban setting or areas. He strongly felt that the Nagas should be called to a meeting for a debate on the burning issue prevailing in the state of Nagaland, especially in the commercial hub of the state, Dimapur.
Joel said the term “GB” was “inappropriately” used and the same should be suggested for a “different name.” This, he said would eventually settle the issue which had cropped up in the recent days. The RPP chief added that the show-cause notice being issued to him had ended up in diverting the attention of the crucial issues – non indigenous person, Abdul Kayum Talukdar, holding the position of a GB involving dispensation of the Naga customary law(s).
RPP chief said that the show cause notice should be issued on the appointment of Abdul as GB of the New Market, Dimapur. He added that Nagaland has unique culture and identity and that countries around the world were facing the threat of illegal immigration. He disclosed that the same GB of New market had reportedly been issuing residential certificates numbering in thousands without a proof in obtaining official documents including trade, driving licenses, and passports.
Joel also went on to add that his party (RPP) had no option but to file Right to Information (RTI) to the Dimapur district administration, statistical office, District Transport Office (DTO), and the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) for garnering residential certificates being issued in the last one decade.
“We will play with facts and figures” adding that the very district administration is also equally responsible. There is no system of check and balance in place to deal with fake documents in Dimapur”, he said.