Appeals churches to pray on Feb 4 for Naga solution
Morung Express News
Kohima | February 3
The Core Committee of the Nagaland Tribal Hohos and Civil Organisations (CCNTHCO) on February 3 informed that it will not use any force nor will it go in the way of the people making the choice of their own decision.
“We will continue to pursue this and we hope good sense will prevail and hope that there will not be any untoward incident,” said Theja Therieh, Convener, CCNTHCO.
It will be individual choice now, voluntary for them, according to HK Zhimomi, Co-Convener.
The CCNTHCO has also appealed to all Naga churches to pray for an early Naga political solution this Sunday, that is, February 4.
Following a four hour meeting held with apex tribal Hohos and civil society groups at Hotel Japfü here today, the Committee held a press conference at the same place informing their decision as well as the challenges on the issue of solution before election.
The Core Committee appreciated the letter addressed to it by Government of India’s Interlocutor to the Indo-Naga political negotiations, RN Ravi, on February 3. It stated, “I am aware of the prevailing situation in Nagaland over the forthcoming elections to the Legislative Assembly. I am sensitive and respectful to the Nagas’ popular sentiment for an early solution. The negotiating parties are trying their best and have significant progress in the last three years. I would like to assure the Naga people that the ongoing Peace Process has not and shall not be affected by this election.” Ravi also urged the people to maintain peace and harmony in Nagaland State.
Despite many tribe based bodies not accepting the bandh, the Core Committee acknowledged that all the organisations ‘came out in support of solution’.
Viewing that the bandh was a success, the CCNTHCO mentioned that within a few days, it achieved milestones. “This is the first time that the tribal bodies, civil bodies, the Church, political parties and national workers came together despite their differences and it’s a big achievement. We are discussing, meeting, reasoning together without any differences because our agenda are the same, our goals and objectives are the same. And that is the beauty of our movement,” said Therieh, who, however, expressed regret over the decision of the BJP.
The Committee clarified that it is not against election or constitutional process but is only appealing ‘to halt the election’.
“Now the decision is with us, not the Government of India, not ECI. The process will go on. And it is for us whether to opt out or to participate. Our appeal continues with the political parties to respect and to maintain the declaration which they have made - it is not to the Core Committee, it is in general to the people, including themselves,” maintained the Core Committee during the press conference.
Casting the first stone
Meanwhile, the CCNTHCO stated in a press release that “it was the BJP which violated the letter & spirit of the 29 January Declaration, creating not only chaos and confusion in the State but putting in serious jeopardy the ongoing talks between the GoI and the negotiation groups. It is for the Naga people to judge who cast the first stone against Naga aspirations despite the outward expression of sympathy for Naga solution.”
Released by the CCNTHCO Convener, Theja Therieh, Co-Conveners, Shikuto Zalipu, HK Zhimomi and Secretary, Joel Naga, the press note reminded the political parties that they are “obligated to honour the 29 January Declaration which was signed in the presence of apex Naga tribe hohos and civil society organisations.”
It also reminded the Naga people that the CCNTHCO “took the initiative to spear-head the call of ‘Solution before Election’ after the August house of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly passed the aforementioned resolution on 15th December, 2017.”
While appealing to all political parties and candidates to respect the aspiration of the Naga people, the CCNTHCO reiterated that it “will not use force to come in the way of any individual’s conscious decision to exercise one’s choice in the larger interest of the people.”
