Dimapur, August 2 (MExN): Five tribal bodies in Dimapur comprising Pomai Hoho, Mao Hoho, Tangkhul Hoho, Western Chakhesang Hoho and Rengma Hoho have responded to the Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) letter dated July 26, 2021.
In a joint statement issued on Monday, the presidents of the five tribal hohos said that they were stunned to see NCD’s “irrational stand of rejecting the nominated councillors of our tribes.”
“We are compelled to bring to the notice in the public domain for discussion as to why some tribal councillors were rejected and how a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed between two contending parties which was initiated by Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur (ASTD) has become ridiculous,” it questioned.
According to the statement, the MOU was signed on May 6, 2021 by NCD under the aegis of ASTD with mutual trust and reconciliation between the two contending parties to end the crises. “However, till now no action been has been taken but rather turned out to be a farce since the NCD officials refused to accept the Councillors of six tribes namely Ao, Chakhesang, Tangkhul, Mao, Pomai and Rengma and the ASTD deliberately walked away instead of implementing the MOU and is trying to divide the NCD with ulterior motives,” it alleged.
It is pertinent to mention that as per NCD Constitution, the councillors are selected or nominated by respective tribal bodies and that NCD has no authority to reject or retain. Selection of Councillors is the sole responsibility of the respective tribes. However, the present NCD officials have blatantly violated the NCD constitution by refusing the tribal mandated and nominated councillors. Rejection of tribal representative Councillors amounts to an insult of the tribes.
In view of the stated facts, the five tribal presidents has urged the ASTD and NCD to explain their stand on the MOU at the earliest or before August 12, failing which they would take their “own course of action for redressal.”
