Wokha, June 12 (MExN): The Lotha Hoho on Wednesday clarified that “due to involvement” of one Chenirao Jami Lotha of Lio Longidang village, Wokha district allegedly “in the matter of security threat to eliminate 25 Lotha intellectuals by NSCN (IM),” he was “excommunicated” from the Lotha Community on July 9, 2016 by the Lotha Hoho (LH) for 15 years.
The LH Chairman Er Mhondamo Ovung and General Secretary Tsupon Murry in a press statement said that he is therefore ‘officially not a bonafide Lotha Naga’ and ‘not eligible to hold any post, of responsibility, as a Lotha Naga, unless he successfully completes the stipulated period of excommunication.’
The reasons and the circumstances leading to his excommunication is documented in the Lotha Hoho Report of November 2014 to January 2019, vide pages 322 to 324, the hoho stated.
It has been ‘confirmed’ that Chenirao Jami has been allotted a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket for contesting in the Nagaland ULB Elections 2024 at Bhandari town from Ward No.3, vide BJP Official Notification dated June 8, 2024.
“Since the Lotha Hoho is the Apex and statutory Lotha Tribal organization, the excommunication is legally binding, under the provisions of Article 371A. ‘On the matter, the LH has written to the ADC Bhandari asking him not to entertain the nomination of Chenirao Jami, vide No LH/WKA/EL/2023 dated June 5, 2024, with endorsements to Chenirao Jami and the Deputy Commissioner, Wokha,’ the statement added.
While bringing the matter to the knowledge of all concerned, the LH stated, “as per the terms and conditions of the excommunication memo of Lotha Hoho, the defiance of the LH excommunication will entail a further excommunication of the concerned Chenirao Jami and now including his family for three consecutive future generations.”
Further, it stated that “to keep its sanctity,” the LH will have no other option, “but to implement its Memo, which will include its withdrawal of LH co-operation/support from the Bharatiya Janata Party, unless the Party withdraws the candidature of Chenirao Jami.”
Basing on the LH Memo of excommunication, Chenirao Jami and the BJP have been informed ‘to consider their option to either comply with the LH terms of excommunication of July 9, 2016 or otherwise.’
The follow up action of the LH will be dependent on the options exercised by BJP and Chenirao Jami, it added.
