Morung Express News
September 1
DIMAPUR: The Naga Hoho has termed the Integration Rally which was held yesterday at the Kohima Local ground as an epoch making event and one of the biggest rallies in the history of the Nagas, which it stated, symbolized the aspirations of the Nagas to live as one people in their cry for justice and freedom.
In a statement issued by P Chuba Ozukum, Publicity Secretary of the Naga Hoho, it hailed the event as another breakthrough in the history of the Nagas’ struggle for their inalienable rights. Referring to the 1951 Plebiscite as well as the visit of Late U-nu and Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Ministers of Burma and India respectively in 1952, the Naga Hoho informed that more than one lakh people irrespective of arbitrary boundaries and divisions gathered to show their oneness for living under a single political ‘roof’.
The Hoho stated that regardless of the media quoting different numbers and implying on the turnout as being below expectations, apart from those who participated thousands more, of people had retracted to their homes for the reason that the rally finished before they could reach the destination. It further stated that the rally could commence more than half an hour behind schedule due to the fact that the Assam Rifles had conducted frisking between Khuzama and Mao Gate on the delegation coming from the southern region. “This itself shows the insincerity on the part of the security forces towards solving the age-long Naga political problem”, the release stated while criticizing the action of the security forces.
The Naga Hoho also expressed its appreciation and gratitude to the Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio, Home Minister Thenucho and their ministerial colleagues, the leader of the Opposition I Imkong and his colleagues, Naga MPs, Federating tribal Hohos and mass-based civil societies, District Administration, security personnel, Kohima Municipal Council, volunteers from different tribes, the Media, non-Naga communities, Transport departments, private bus owners and educational institutions for their cooperation. The Hoho also expressed its gratitude to the Mokokchung Chancel Choir, Naga Boys from Jorhat, Vekutalu and Thunonulu and all the participants in the rally without which the event would not have been successful.
