Morung Express News Dimapur | January 31 Much as the ‘Super Blue Blood Moon’ remained invisible to the public eye in Nagaland, the Once in a Blue Moon solidarity of Nagaland State’s apex bodies began to dissipate on Wednesday.
Close on the heels of the BJP, several apex bodies that had formed a solidarity network under the Core Committee of Naga Tribal Hohos and Civil Organisations (CCNTHCO), and agreed to the ‘Solution before Election’ stance, backed out from the action. The CCNTHCO, however, remained firm on its bandh called on February 1 to protest the Election Commission of India’s announcement of elections to the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly. The umbrella body had called for expediting a solution to the Indo-Naga issue instead of holding another round of Indian state elections.
On January 31, the Angami Public Organization (APO), the Chakhesang Public Organization (CPO), Eastern Naga People’s Organization (ENPO) and Lotha Hoho opted out of the bandh. The bandh will now be observed in Dimapur, Mokokchung, Peren, Tseminyu and Zunheboto. In fact, the Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam, Manipur, Nagaland) even came out with a declaration to reiterate the resolutions of the CCNTHCO.
Opposition The APO and “all its frontal organizations” reiterated their “natural support” established on January 25 to the ongoing dialogue between the Government of India and Naga political groups. However, APO decided “not to persuade nor dissuade any individual from filing nomination and shall not boycott the forthcoming General Election 2018,” stated APO President, Dr. Kepelhousie Terhüja, and General Secretary, Neisakholie Ziephru, in a press statement they circulated on social media on Monday.
“No Bandh shall be allowed within the Angami inhabited areas on February 1,” they stated and directed the public not to participate in the bandh. “This clarion call is made for and in the larger interest of the Nagas in its quest for peoplehood and nationhood which we are aware cannot be taken lightly.” The APO could not be reached for further comments on what that means.
In Kohima district, however, the Rengma Hoho will observe the bandh in Tseminyu sub-division.
The Chakhesang Public Organization, meanwhile, resolved to “have a prayer day for Naga political issue” instead of a bandh. This was decided at an emergency general meeting held at Town Hall Pfütsero on January 31. “All the Chakhesang citizens are asked to observe the said program,” stated a short release from CPO Press Secretary, Wekhrope Marhu.
The CPO appealed to all the citizens to “remain at home and pray for Naga political solution.”
The ENPO also decided not to impose bandh in ENPO areas, stated a press release from its media cell.
“That does not mean the ENPO do not support the Naga solution. But the decision not to impose bandh has been decided on good faith and not to create unnecessary inconvenience to the public of ENPO areas,” stated the release.
Sources also informed that the ENPO received a letter from the Government of India’s Ministry of Home Affairs on January 31, Monday, inviting the ENPO team for a meeting with the MHA in March this year.
The Lotha Hoho did not give an official press release. However, sources from Wokha said to The Morung Express that “it is not clear what the honourable solution is so we cannot participate in the bandh.”
“We want to show solidarity but don’t want a repeat of 1998,” noted the source of the general apprehension among those backing out of the CCNTHCO called action. “All political parties are not honest with their commitment and unless they are unanimously united, we cannot support the bandh call,” stated the source, also citing the “hidden framework agreement” as a cause for concern.
