KOHIMA, June 27 - In a damning indictment of the Neiphiu Rio Government, Nagaland Governor RN Ravi has said armed gangs are brazenly running their own governments in the State, challenging the legitimacy of its elected authority and creating a �crisis of confidence� in the system.
Describing the scenario in the State as �grim�, Ravi said he has been closely observing the precarious law-and-order situation with a lot of concern since August, 2019 when he assumed office.
In a letter to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, the Governor warned he would promulgate Article 371A(1)(b) of the Constitution, which gives the Nagaland Governor special responsibility with respect to law and order if things did not improve. Ravi also gave enough indication of his intention to have a greater say in the administration, as he proposed to periodically review the law-and-order situation and issue directions.
Both Rio�s Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), a BJP ally, and the Opposition Naga People�s Front (NPF) refrained from commenting on the June 16 letter circulating on social media platforms since Thursday.
While none in the Chief Minister�s office agreed to speak about it, State Chief Secretary Temjen Toy confirmed the receipt of the letter. He, however, was tight-lipped when asked to comment on its content.
The Constitutionally established State Government is being challenged on a day-to-day basis by armed gangs which question the sovereignty and integrity of the nation, while the instruments of law and order remain totally unresponsive.
�In such a backdrop, I can no longer abstain from my constitutional obligations for law and order in the State under Article 371A (1)(b) of the Constitution of India,� the letter said.
It said hereafter important decisions like transfer and posting of officials entrusted with maintenance of law and order of and above the district level will be taken only after the Governor�s approval. � PTI
