Rejects claim that LH had dissolved LBCA; calls it ‘incorrect and misleading’
Wokha, April 6 (MExN): The Lotha Hoho (LH) has reiterated that the action of LH “is legitimate” and needs to be upheld by all concerned authorities including the tribal hohos of Nagaland.
LH Chairman, Er Mhondamo Ovung and General Secretary, S Abenthung Ngullie in a press statement said that Lotha Baptist Churches Association (LBCA) was established at Okotso village in 1923 and has been in existence for the last 99 years. “During its long existence, the LBCA has not had any serious confusion like the one that has been going on for last couple of years. The dissatisfaction within the church fraternity has a possibility to disintegrate the LBCA which will be an irreparable loss and misfortune for the Lotha tribe,” it stated.
With the “intention to prevent any split and to ensure unity and cohesion of the churches within the Lotha society,” a LH Memorandum was issued, on March 18 which sought to prevent any social upheaval within the society. It said, “LH is fully aware of the fact of separation of the church and the state, which need to be upheld with mutual respect and transparent functioning of their respective roles.” On the pretext of separation of church and state, the LBCA is not given the sanction or license to sow seeds of discord within the Lotha society, nor does it give permission to violate the Baptist Distinctive or its own Constitution/Sakhung. ‘Also an organization, like the LBCA, having been registered under the Societies Act does not entail immunity from law nor the justification to abuse its role,’ it said.
It alleged that “the erstwhile LBCA, led by Rev Dr Nrio Lotha and Rev Dr L Tsanso, has a syndicate within which all its authorities are confined” and had violated at least 28 Sakhung norms/guidelines, as per report of LH Fact Finding Committee on LBCA.
It also apprised that the erstwhile LBCA has many Court cases ongoing, both in the High Court and in the Judicial Magistrate Court. According to LH, the concerned District Administration has so far not been able to persuade the LBCA leaders to sit across table for amicable settlement. The initiative to amicably settle the problems of discord within and without the LBCA, have been taken up by many, including the sitting Lotha Legislators (in co ordination with the District Administration and social organization), Eramoe Lanlyui den (Elder Moderators team), led by MLA Dr Chumben Murry, the NBCC (entrusted by the High Court), many sub groups within the LBCA, Lotha Hoho etc; but to no avail; “since the LBCA leaders refused to attend any meeting for negotiation for amicable settlement.”
However, ‘with the hope and expectation to settle the issues amicably,’ LH had convened a consultative meeting on February 28 of Lotha Hoho and its frontal constituents across Nagaland, Lotha Women Hoho, Lotha Students’ union, Lotha youth Hoho, Lotha GBs Association, Wokha District Village Council Chairmen Association, Lotha Elder Theological intellectuals, Pastors of Lotha Baptist Churches, all Lotha Social organisations and LBCA. The LBCA representatives (Lotha Baptist Pastors Sanrhyu and Lotha Baptist Theological Association), were asked to attend the meeting; but the LBCA leaders did not allow its members to attend the meeting and hence, no fruitful deliberation was done, it stated.
A second consultative meeting was convened on March 18 which the LBCA refused to attend. Finding no opportunity to deliberate for amicable settlement, the house had no option but to adopt a joint resolution to let the LH issue a Memorandum to reorganise the LBCA, it added.
The LH, in its memorandum had referred to Article 371A to highlight the provisions that any settlement of dispute; by local organization by way of Naga customary practice is valid and not to be reviewed by the Court of Law; That the point No. 8 of the 16-point Agreement had recognized the local bodies such as Village and Tribal Council. This Agreement had necessitated the enactment of the Nagaland Village and Tribal Council Act 1978, amended up to 2011. ‘Hence, the LH has acted as per the provisions of this Act and Article 371A,’ it said while reaffirming its action.
“LH Memorandum had not dissolved the LBCA in its entirety, but the erring setup of the then administrative body so as to prevent further discord within the Lotha Baptist churches. This LH claim is clearly testified by the installation of the Pro tem Team for an interim period of 6 (Six) months, for reorganizing the LBCA. The LH had sought to reorganize and streamline the LBCA setup so that the LBCA may function in accordance with its constitution/Sakhung, as it should,” it clarified.
It mentioned that the work of reorganization begun from March 18 with the installation of a pro tem team of nine members, followed by appointment and dedication of the top six posts of LBCA on March 28 at Kohima and followed by selection and dedication of 42 executive members at Okotso village on April 5; and the work of reorganization is almost complete.
“Hence, the claim of the Deputy Commissioner, Wokha that the LH had dissolved the LBCA is incorrect and misleading,” it clarified. LH alleged that the concerned District Administration was unable to persuade the LBCA leaders for deliberation for amicable settlement of the imbroglio.
Therefore, as required by the Nagaland Village and Tribal Council Act which states “…the apex tribal councils shall assist the state government and its various agencies in the maintenance of law and order in the society, maintenance of peace and communal/tribal harmony…,” the LH had no other option but to intervene by convening a consultative meeting with all concerned organizations; and to issue a memorandum as per the joint resolution of the consultative meeting on March 18, it explained.
