Says will dishonour any decision/resolution adopted on NSDZ in its present form
Wokha, November 27 (MExN): The Lotha Hoho today expressed shock and surprise that the Lotha Lower Range Public Organisation (LLRPO) has been invited to attend a discussion on Nagaland Special Development Zone (NSDZ) at the Business Summit of the ongoing Nagaland International Trade Expo at Agri Expo in Dimapur on November 28.
In a statement, it termed the action of the Business Summit Coordinator to “disregard and bypass” the Lotha Hoho (LH), the tribal apex body, and invite “local land owner subordinate organisation” (LLRPO) to discuss on a “controversial” issue like NSDZ, objected and opposed by the LH and other Nagaland level organisations, as “biased” and “clear indication of an ulterior motive and a hidden agenda and is viewed as an attempt to infuse division and crisis within the Lotha community.” The Hoho chairman, Mhao Humtsoe and general secretary, Er Mhondamo Ovung in the statement reminded that LH has expressed several times its objection to the NSDZ, in its present form, with the latest such Objection Note dated October 9, 2017 submitted to the State government through the Chief Secretary.
The Objection Note states that the Lotha Hoho is opposed to the implementation of NSDZ within its jurisdiction for the following reasons: “The resolution in the state consultative meeting of 26/9/2014, seeks to evolve permanent settlement of non Nagas (Resolution No. vi), to liberalise the system of entry and stay of non Nagas in the NSDZs (Resolution No. vii); Since the nature of the proposed NSDZ and in particular the two cited Resolutions (No.vi & vii), are contrary to the provisions of Article 371A, of the Indian Constitution, the Lotha Hoho will not allow the implementation of NSDZ within any Lotha area of wokha district or elsewhere. If earlier any ‘No Objection Certificate (NOC)’ had been issued or MOU signed for the NSDZ, the LH will treat such NOC and MOU, as Null and Void.”
It affirmed that any relaxation of entry and settlement of non-Nagas is against the Nagas in general. The Hoho asserted it will not honour any decision/resolution adopted on NSDZ in its present form by Business Summit or any agency. “Such decision/resolution will instead be treated as an insult to the Lotha tribe and the Lotha Hoho will oppose tooth and nail such decision/resolution, if to implement within its jurisdiction,” it maintained.
