Four former central office-bearers of the NPF on Monday threatened to file a defamation case against Mon division general secretary Hongnaw.
The former Naga People’s Front (NPF) office-bearers have accused Hongnaw of spreading ‘false and fabricated rumours’ about them.
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They have asked Hongnaw either to tender public apology within 7 days or to face a defamation case.
The NPF (central) wrote to Mon deputy commissioner Thavaseelan K. seeking action against 19 suspended party office-bearers for their alleged involvement in locking of party’s Mon division office on May 10.
In a joint release, former NPF central office-bearers Akang, Nokshom Konyak, Honpha Konyak, and Kapwang Konyak alleged Hongnaw told a news channel that the 7 suspended NPF MLAs had pressurised and forced party members to resign.
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Also read: Resignation spree continues in NPF, 19 party workers suspended
This news was widely circulated in the social media.
They also accused Hongnaw of alleging that the 7 suspended party legislators had prepared a list of office-bearers without the knowledge of NPF functionaries and put forged signatures of the central as well as divisional and constituency office-bearers, calling it a “criminal case”.
The four said they had taken their position against the hasty decision of party’s central leadership to suspend the seven MLAs and file a petition for their disqualification from the Assembly before the speaker.
The NPF suspended the 7 legislators and filed disqualification petition against them before the speaker on April 24 for supporting NDPP candidate Tokheho Yepthomi in the April 11 Lok Sabha polls.
The suspended MLAs went against the party which had decided to back Congress’ K.L. Chishi.
Terming Hongnaw’s allegation as a bid to destroy their image and position, the four former office-bearers said the accusation without any documentary proof or evidence is nothing short of a criminal offence amounting to defamation.
They said the matter would be handled in the most serious manner and appropriate action initiate as deemed fit.
According to reports, NPF spokesperson Achumbemo Kikon said the party had accepted the resignation of those members.
The party members recently announced their resignation through local dallies.
Some of the members also officially handed over their resignation letters to the party.
Kikon reportedly said the officials of NPF legislature party and central office-bearers in charge of Mon division visited Mon on May 2 after receiving a letter seeking action against Mon division president and general secretary.
The letter was signed by 19 suspended members.
Kikon said instead of attending the joint meeting convened by the visiting party officials on May 3 to resolve the issue and differences, the 19 members threatened to lock the party office in Mon.
He said such attitude from those whom the party considered “responsible leaders” was not expected.
The NPF suspended the 19 senior party functionaries from both active and primary membership of the party on May 9 for allegedly supporting the NDPP candidate in the last parliamentary election for the state’s lone LS seat.
The NPF said it was totally against the collective decision of the party.
On May 3, seven Assembly unit presidents of NPF resigned from the party to join the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) while seven more central office-bearers of the party resigned on May 7.