GUWAHATI: Opposition Congress in Nagaland on Friday demanded the resignation of the state’s health minister Imkong L Imchen for allegedly assaulting the department’s principal director Bendangyanger Jamir.
The incident, which triggered an outrage on the social media, took place on October 30 at the minister’s official residence in state capital Kohima. The Nagaland In-service Doctors’ Association alleged that the minister had verbally abused Jamir and roughed him up by pulling his jacket. The reason behind his action was not known.
Later, the minister apologised for his action. But the Congress said he could not get away simply by tendering an apology. Stating that the minister is a habitual offender of law, the Congress asked him to resign. The party said chief minister TR Zeliang should drop the minister in case he did not resign.
“Imkong L Imchen is a habitual offender of law despite being a lawmaker. It is a disgrace to the people of Nagaland that such people are allowed to become a minister again and again while his misdeeds continue to grow. When the minister has the audacity to physically assault a senior official without any second thought, then there is nothing more to expect from him when dealing with common people,” the Congress said.
The party lamented that the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF), to which the minister belongs, continued with “sheltering” the accused and denied justice to the victim and the medical fraternity.
“We demand his immediate resignation to avoid bringing further disrepute to the office he holds. In the event of his shamelessly clinging on to his chair, the chief minister should sack him or else the chief minister and the entire Cabinet would be held responsible for legitimizing his uncivilized conduct,” the Congress warned.