Not endorsement, just views and opinion, asserts Naga Hoho
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 3 (MExN): The Naga Hoho today clarified its position on the alleged “endorsement” made by the body for recognition of the Rongmei tribe in Nagaland state as an Indigenous Naga tribe.
Communication cell, Naga Hoho on Saturday said the purported letter dated September 22, 2008 issued to the Government of Nagaland contained just the “views and opinions” of the Naga Hoho and not “endorsement” as alleged.
It also pointed out, the “opinion and views contained in the letter was arrived at in presence of the representative of other tribal apex bodies,” and at no point of time, the “Ao Senden or the Sumi Hoho and other tribal bodies consulted the Naga Hoho to withdraw their earlier views and opinion conveyed to the government.”
The clarification comes in response to the Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) disassociating itself from Naga Hoho on August 31, 2016 after the expiry of one-month deadline it served to the latter to withdraw its “endorsement” for Rongmei tribe recognition.
The CNTC had also claimed that the decision for disassociation was resolved on July 22 and reaffirmed by the three apex bodies - Ao Senden, Lotha Hoho and Sumi Hohi on August 24.
In its response, the Naga Hoho reminded of the Nagaland Government letter no. GAB-10/1/77(Pt) dated 25-7-08, which had sought views and opinions from the Naga Hoho on the issue for granting of status of Indigenous Naga tribe to Rongmei community settled in Nagaland prior to formation of Nagaland sate in 1963.
The Naga Hoho said a presidential meeting was held on September 5, 2008 to deliberate the issue where it was “collectively viewed that Rongmei community is eligible to be recognized as desired by the State Government basing on the fact that the Kukis, Garos & Kacharis are enjoying the privilege of the Indigenous inhabitants of the State in terms of Government Notification No. AR-8/76, Dated, 28th April 1997.”
Accordingly, the Naga Hoho, stated that its opinion was communicated to the Government in a letter dated September 22, 2008 containing just the opinion and views of the Naga Hoho, and not “endorsement” as alleged. The Naga Hoho expressed surprise that CNTC had given a direction to withdraw its views and opinion without observing procedural lapses and formalities by giving 30 days deadline, which expired on August 31, 2016.
Citing Article7 of its constitution, it argued that the ultimatum served by CNTC in written and through media cannot be acknowledged for the very fact that Naga Hoho is not answerable to CNTC except to Ao Senden and Sumi Hoho- because it did not “communicate to Naga Hoho officially about its formation and their objectives till date.”
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Naga Hoho responds to “CNTC Disassociates with Naga Hoho”
Above all, according to the Naga Hoho, it is not their hands to either recognize or reject granting of Indigenous Naga tribe to Rongmei community since it is solely under the prerogative of the Nagaland State Government.
However, sensing that the Rongmei issue has become a bone-of-contention among various sections of the Naga Society, Naga Hoho reminded of the September 28 Naga Hoho federal assembly where “tribe recognition” issue would be one of the main agenda.
It has appealed to Ao Senden and Sumi Hoho to attend the scheduled federal assembly and share their opinions and grievances democratically “so as to enable us to come out with an acceptable decision in the best interest of our Naga people.”
NTC dismayed by failure of govt
Meanwhile, the Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) has lauded the “demonstration of people’s might and uncompromising stand to defend our rights over land and its people as shown by the three tribes-Ao, Lotha and Sumi under the aegis of CNTC” that “land belongs to the people and not the government to transact any business without the consent of the people.” NTC media cell in a press statement expressed dismay over the miserable failure of the present day government to uphold the protective laws for indigenous inhabitants adequately provided by pioneers of the country and Nagaland state. It therefore reminded the government of the day to pay heed to the genuine wishes of the aboriginal tribes of the state and desist from acting antithesis to the state and its subjects. The NTC called the attention of all the citizens to “rise above petty obligations, inhibition and obsession and take clear stance on the rights and privileges of the indigenous people of the state and to fight collectively against nefarious designs prevailing in the state.”
