Wokha, January 21 (MExN): The Lotha Hoho and its frontal organisations today conveyed their resentment over the recent reported speech by Nagaland’s lone Lok Sabha Member of Parliament, Tokheho Yepthomi, in "favour of the removal of Article 371A."
In a joint statement, the organisations advocated that human existence is much more than the "so-called Modern Development" on the surface. "The cultural and traditional identity, ancestral heritage, territorial rights, social rights, human rights, religious rights, the unique existence, and many more such rights are inalienable for us," they asserted.
"Our leaders should know that much more than the modern-day developments, the Nagas have so far lived with a distinct culture, tradition, and many more of their rights under Article 371A," they added.
Accordingly, the Lotha organisaations stated that if Article 371A is removed, the Nagas will be flooded "with alien people, alien culture, alien way of living, alien religion, etc."
They further expressed apprehension that Nagas would become like the "aboriginal people of Tripura," a minority in their land, or similar to that of Native Americans and Incas of Americas, Maoris of New Zealand, and the 85 aboriginal tribes in Australia, who have "lost their heritage and are now the oppressed minority."
‘If it is removed, will not the Naga history record for all time to come that the Naga Protective Constitutional Article 371A has been removed during the Chief Ministership of Neiphiu Rio and during the tenure of MP Yepthomi?’ the Lotha organisations posed.
They further pointed out that though a small country, the people of Bhutan live with pride with their distinct identity in their naturally eco-friendly land.
“The so-called developed countries are now vying at Bhutan, which has earned the enviable name "Kingdom of Happiness," they added.
To this end, the Lotha Hoho and its frontal organisations asserted that "our leaders should think of the long-term implications without Article 371A" and how "stupid and treacherous" it would be to do away with the constitutional provision.
"Our leaders are once again reminded that we would rather choose to remain under Art 371A, although underdeveloped but happy like Bhutan, and never like developed Europe, where human values have vanished, and life is monotonous and does not seem interesting to live!" they asserted.
The joint statement was appended by Lotha Hoho Chairman Er Mhondamo Ovung and General Secretary Tsupon Murry; Lirhonthung Kithan, President Lotha Students’ Union; Thungbeni Ngullie, President, Lotha Eloe Hoho; Limhathung Yanthan, President, Lotha Youth Hoho, and Er Sanchio Kithan Chairman, Wokha Town Colonies Union.
