Expedite Naga political solution, 11 Naga tribal bodies to PM

Dimapur, June 16 (MExN): 11 Tribal Hohos in Nagaland have written to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi on June 16, apprising the government for peaceful and early solution to the prolonged Indo-Naga political issue before the implementation of delimitation in the state.


14 tribes of Nagaland had a meeting on June 12 at APO Hall Kohima and deliberated on the subject after which 11 tribes namely- Sumi Hoho, United Sangtam Likhum Pümji (USLP), Yimchungrü Tribal Council (YTC), Chang Khulei Setshang (CKS), Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC), Pochury Hoho, Konyak Union (KU), Ao Senden, Chakesang Public Organisation (CPO), Angami Public Organisation (APO) and Zeliang Peoples Organisation, Kohima resolved to write to the PM regarding the same, their letter stated. While noting that the Nagas had been assured that the settlement would be done very soon, the Hohos expressed dismay at the steps taken by the Government of India to go ahead with the delimitation exercise in the state of Nagaland.


“It was agreed to resolve the Naga Political issue through amicable negotiation and understanding of the factual position of the settlement.  The Government of India has agreed to constitute an empowered High Power Committee to demarcate the boundaries with respect to the state of Nagaland. Moreover, it was agreed between the Government of India and the Naga Groups to have a democratically elected Nagaland Legislature under the name and style of ‘Leacy Hoho’ and number of constituencies and seats to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to be increased respectively,” they stated.


The tribal bodies expressed concern that if the delimitation exercise is allowed to proceed, there will be another delimitation exercise all over again after finalization of the Naga political issue. “The number of seats for Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and the state Assembly Constituencies will be increased and necessary consequential action for redrawing the Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies shall be followed” they said.


As such, the delimitation process with respect to the state of Nagaland will be a futile exercise and implementation of delimitation in our state at this juncture when the process of resolving the Indo-Naga Political Solution is yet to be finalized will be incongruous, they added.


Stating that a peaceful Naga solution is the protracted aspiration of not only the tribes of Nagaland but all the Naga people, the 11 tribal bodies appealed for its finalization at the earliest before delimitation is implemented.