Minister Along’s statement draws flak from Naga Hoho

Dimapur, June 12 (MExN): Nagaland Minister Temjen Imna Along has drawn criticism from the Naga Hoho, for his comment that the solution to the Naga political issue should come under the Constitution of India. 

“We know that, any solution that would come should be under the constitution of India and it should be under the Indian union. So anything that is good for the Naga people under the constitution of India should be pursued and should be done with,” Along, who is also the state’s BJP President, said in a TV interview on June 10.

In a press release on Saturday, the Naga Hoho, which is Nagaland’s apex tribal organisation, said the comment negates the uniqueness of Naga Political history which is unacceptable to the Naga people. It said that despite commitments by successive prime ministers of India assuring for a long lasting political solution to the protracted Indo-Naga political problem beyond past Agreements, peace and tranquillity seems to elude the Nagas till today due to various reasons from within and without. 

“What stands witness today is some influential Naga leaders refused to accept the realities of the Naga people’s political movement but harping to toe the line of the oppressors,” it added. 

Denouncing Along’s statement, the Naga Hoho stated that the minister had “literally ignored the existence of Naga nationhood and her political rights and further undermined thousands of precious lives who have fallen in the hands of occupationist,” and exhibited his ignorance about his own identity. It accused Along of depicting leaders of different Naga political groups and intellectuals as “stooges.” 

The Naga Hoho questioned why the armed conflicts and Peace Talks have continued even after statehood if the Naga peoples’ struggle for more than 70 years is to be under the Constitution of India.

Meanwhile, the tribal body welcomed the formation of the Core Committee on Naga Political Issue by the state government “provided they are committed to resolve Naga political problem with the best interest and sincerity.” It expressed hope that the intervention of the Core Committee would break the stalemate between the Government of India and political negotiators and bring unity among different Naga Political Groups.

“It is our sincere believe that the Naga society would be restored and see a new dawn once the sixty elected members convince the people in their respective constituencies to stand together as one people towards bringing Indo-Naga political problem to a logical conclusion,” it added.