By IANS
Kohima : Army and paramilitary troopers were deployed in strength in Nagaland Friday following the clamping of president’s rule, which dismissed chief minister Neiphiu Rio described as a “murder of democracy”.
The northeastern state was brought under central rule late Thursday following political uncertainty triggered by a controversial no-confidence vote.
“Maintenance of law and order has to be a top priority and police and security forces must ensure that citizens can live a secure and peaceful life,” Nagaland Governor K. Sankaranarayanan said in a statement.
President Pratibha Patil late Thursday gave her assent to a recommendation by the central cabinet to dismiss the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-backed Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government, two months before it was due to complete its five-year term.
The decision came after Nagaland’s coalition government headed by Rio managed to stay in office even though it lost a no-confidence vote moved by the opposition Dec 13.
A controversial decision by Nagaland Assembly Speaker K. Peseyie barring three independent legislators from voting in the no confidence motion and declaring as invalid nine ruling Nagaland People’s Front (NPF) legislators for defying a party whip helped Rio remain chief minister until Thursday.
“It became very clear that no stable ministry can be formed from the present assembly which has as many as 13 vacant seats and has seen a series of defections and resignations,” the governor said.
The imposition of president’s rule has evoked a sharp reaction from the NPF and other parties of the coalition government.
“The decision is not only illegal and unconstitutional, but also the murder of democracy,” Rio told IANS.
“This is a conspiracy hatched by the Congress to oust an elected government,” he added.
Similar reactions have come in from other northeastern leaders.
Purno A. Sangma, former speaker of Lok Sabha, said: “This kind of action is not at all good for a sensitive state like Nagaland.”
The BJP too reacted angrily.
“The Nagas would never accept army rule and the Congress party would have to pay the price in the elections,” A. Yepthomi, Nagaland BJP president, said.
Elections in Nagaland are due in February-March.