New president of NPP Nagaland officially inducted

MLAs from eastern region yet to discuss about ENPO’s demand; party says no to UCC

DIMAPUR—The National People’s Party (NPP) has officially inducted A Nyamnyei Konyak as the president of the party for Nagaland, more than a month after he was appointed as the party chief for the state.

The member of Nagaland Legislative Assembly has taken over the charge from Dr. Andrew Ahoto Sema who has been promoted to the party’s National General Secretary, in-charge of Frontal Organisation.

When asked about the Frontier Naga Territory arrangement offered by the government of India, which the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) said has accepted, Konyak refused to divulge any information, saying that they support the demand but nothing has been confirmed yet.

He added that the 20 MLAs of ENPO region have not discussed about the matter.

‘One government one tax’

Speaking during the press conference held at Hotel Saramati in Dimapur, on Wednesday, after the induction ceremony of new NPP state president, Dr. Andrew Ahoto Sema said ‘a very good thing that can happen to Nagaland is ‘one government one tax’ as the public is suffering due to unabated taxation.

Replying to a query, he opined that ‘one tax’ system should be there but the issue is non settlement of the Naga political issue. He said that the Naga problem should be brought to a conclusion at the earliest and everyone should work together towards it.

He went on to say that the Framework Agreement that was signed between the government of India and the NSCN (IM) should be laid on the table.

NPP opposes UCC

James Sangma, National People’s Party (NPP) National General Secretary, said that the party’ stand on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is very clear, and that they oppose it.

In regard to the crisis in Manipur, he said the Meghalaya government is trying its best to help the displaced people sheltering in the state, in whatever way possible.

He added that the government has reached out to certain localities where incidents of some refugees being denied accommodation or rents were reported and resolved the issues.

He said that law and order has broken down in the state but whether or not to impose the President’s Rule is with the union government. He added that the Centre should act fast and bring about a solution through dialogue.

When asked about the elected members of NPP not being inducted to the government of Nagaland despite giving the letter of support, Sangma replied that they would give time to the present government and that they have to respect the challenges faced when a new government is formed.

He also expressed gratitude to the people of Nagaland for reposing their faith in the party and electing five MLAs to the state legislative assembly.

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