Court bars Neiphiu Rio from using NPF flag and symbols

DIMAPUR | Aug 14 (NNN)

The Dr Shurhozelie group of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) claimed that a local court has passed an interim order restraining Neiphiu Rio from using the name of Naga People’s Front, its symbol and flags and also against the opening of any office using the name of NPF party.

It may be noted that the Naga People’s Front (NPF) led by Dr Shurhozelie Lizietsu and the other NPF led by Neiphiu Rio have been engaging in tussling work to hold the forte of the party.

According to the NPF led by Dr Shurhozelie Lizietsu, L Yanlong, president of the NPF Mon division had filed a civil suit in the court of the Civil Judge (Senior) Division in Mon district  submitting that the defendant Neiphiu Rio has been appointed as the “Interim President” of the NPF on July 31, 2017, by a group of expelled and suspended legislators of NPF and had opened an office at Hotel Legacy, Kohima, using the name of NPF and its symbol and flags.

Counsel for the Plaintiff pointed out that 20 legislators of the NPF were expelled and another 12 were suspended on various dates from active and primary membership of the party, it said.

The basis of the contention was that there is no post by the name and style of “Interim President” as per the Constitution of the NPF and that any official post of the party will have to be appointed by the General Convention of the party as per para 2 (c) of Article IV of the Constitution of the NPF party.

The learned Civil Judge was satisfied that the plaintiff had made out a case for grant of ad-interim injunction and accordingly passed an order restraining the defendant Neiphiu Rio from using the name of NPF, its symbol and flags and further restrained the defendant from opening of any new office using the name of NPF party till the next returnable date which has been scheduled for September 27, 2017.