DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 20 (MExN): Citing on the conceptualization of the word “indigenous people” and their rights under the framework of United Nations working groups, the Naga Hoho has stated that the definition clearly indicates that Nagas are the most appropriate to be termed as indigenous people basing on the fact that Nagas are the original inhabitants in their own territories and the real descendants of their ancestors.
In a press note issued by P. Chuba Ozukum, Publicity Secretary, the Naga Hoho termed as unfortunate the British imperialist forces and the Indian occupational forces taking away the Naga territories with vicious attitudes and domination of the Naga people. “Notwithstanding, stiff resistance of Naga movement for self-determination since the formation of Naga Club in 1929, it was the British and India who came to Naga territory and subjugated the original settlers through military aggression and thereby became not only the rulers, but further divided the Naga indigenous families and displaced them under different imaginary boundaries for their administrative convenience”, the Naga Hoho stated while adding that any resistant group in Nagaland asking the Indian rulers to “leave them alone” was akin to revolting against the conqueror or colonizers. “Therefore, the above definition of U.N on indigenous people sufficiently illustrates that the Nagas are Indigenous people of the world”.
The hoho stated that it would be another heartbreaking episode in the annals of the freedom movement if any Naga intellectual under the banner of NSCN (IM) (K) or FGN attempts to derail the definition of indigenous people who are supposed to be the champion of Indigenous people’s struggle.
The Naga Hoho pointed out that it fully recognized and appreciated the initiative taken by the NPMHR, NSF, and the Collective Leadership of NSCN (IM) who have been actively participating and articulating the rights of the Naga Indigenous people. This was made in the deliberations of the United Nations both in the Working Group as well as Permanent Forum on Indigenous peoples issues. They are held every year at Geneva and New York respectively, it added.
The Naga Hoho also stated that it was overwhelmed to learn on the historic declaration of UN General Assembly on September 13, 2007 adopting on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which upholds human rights of more than 300 million indigenous peoples around the globe. “The Naga Hoho thank all the actors involved towards crafting the declaration into reality of which the credit goes to Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, Chairperson and her three Co-members of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous issues, NGO’s like IWGIA, NCIV, DOCIP, Quakers, Amnesty International, IFG and all other Indigenous leaders, activists and experts around the world”.
It likewise stated that the “challenges that are ahead” for the Nagas towards effective implementation of the declaration may not be easy task due to lack of political will on the part of the Governments and the vested interest of rich and powerful nations. “However, Naga people will be counting the United Nations system and the Indian sub-continent towards bringing out permanent settlement to the age-old Indo-Naga political imbroglio based on the momentous UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples”.
Naga Hoho hails affiliation move
The Naga Hoho has put on record on what it termed as the “sagacious wisdom” of the DAN government under the leadership of Neiphiu Rio, the Council of Ministers and all other political parties in Nagaland of their matured political decision arrived at in its Assembly session on September 18 permitting the NBSE to extend facilities to educational institutions located outside the present state of Nagaland and also recognizing the legitimate rights of the respective Academic institutions for conducting internal promotion examinations. The Naga Hoho in a press note issued by I. Bendangmangyang Jamir, President and Keviletuo Kiewhuo, Vice President expressed confidence that such a landmark political decision in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly shall be a springboard and will really be a contributing factor towards achieving our goal for a unified Naga homeland.
“It has been observing that the minds of the Naga people were divided over the amalgamation of schools from the four hill districts of Manipur under the administrative roof of Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) following the imposition of Manipur Government’s education policy upon the Naga community who have occupied the Hill Districts since time immemorial”, the Naga Hoho stated adding that in the process, many Naga students in Manipur had to sacrifice their career during the massive agitation by all Naga civil societies demanding for affiliation to the NBSE.
