Legal action can be taken up against Rio: Khaidem Mani

IMPHAL, February 8: Senior Advocate Khaidem Mani has said that legal action can be taken up against the Nagaland’s Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio for his remark during his election campaign in connection with the coming Nagaland State Assembly election.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s remark, “Manipur Chief Minister is one of the biggest enemies of the Naga people and he is responsible for suppression of the Nagas,” is communal and it will create hatred and enmity between the people of the two neighbouring state Nagaland and Manipur, said Mani speaking to media persons at Cheirap Court Complex, Uripok today.

“Legal action should be taken up against him for making such communal remark.”

The Manipuri people consist of various different communities including Tangkhul, Maring, Hmar, Chothe, Zeliangrong, Meitei Pangal, Meitei etc and the remark made by Rio is equivalent to the one made by a Muslim MLA of Karnataka against the Hindu communities and who is now facing legal action because of his remark said Kh. Mani,

He further added that he was not taking side of Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and clarified that he has nothing personal against the Nagaland CM, while adding that he was against such remarks which will create hate and enmity between the people of the two states.

He further urged the Election Commission of India to check whether making such a remark is allowed by the election model code of conduct which is being implemented in Nagaland.

Legal proceeding can be taken up against him for making such remark according to Section 153-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) which says “Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence etc and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony,” he added.