NTC officials, volunteers and representatives from tribal hoho leaders during the general session held in Kohima on May 31.
Kohima, May 31 (MExN): The Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) held its general council session for the year in the Conference Hall of Indian Red Cross Society Nagaland State Branch, Kohima on May 31.
As per an NTC press release, delivering his address, NTC, President, Toniho Yepthomi said, “NTC was born out of unavoidable situations and circumstances at a time when the Nagas of Nagaland were experiencing a negative trend of self-destruction and confusion all around.”
Numerous issues are still confronting the people of Nagaland, the President said adding, “One such major issue is the vexed Naga Political problem which is tracking us for over seventy years now”. Asserting that the NTC cannot shy away from its responsibility on this particular protracted Naga Political Issue, Yepthomi said, “the destiny of the Nagas of Nagaland shall never be allowed to be decided by the outsiders so long as the integration of land is not possible.”
“Let us continue to prayerfully support one another until our goal for political settlement based on the principle of culminated dialogue of 31st October 2019 is accomplished, that is, inclusive, honourable and acceptable so as to see that ever lasting peace is restored,” NTC President appealed.
He also highlighted that other lingering issues confronting the peace loving people of Nagaland are the proposal to implement the Uniform Civil Code, CAA and AFSPA with particular reference to RIIN in the state. “NTC to the extent possible has been representing to the concerned authority in all these issues both at the Centre and the State,” he said.
RIIN Commission report needs greater evaluation
On the issue of RIIN, Yepthomi said that the RIIN Commission report that has been tabled in the Assembly needs greater evaluation otherwise it is better not to have RIIN in the state of Nagaland in its present form. He said, “The government standing Notification during the formation of the State of Nagaland with "1-12-1963" as cut-off date and year to be indigenous inhabitant of Nagaland is enough for all purposes.”
In regard to enforcement of BEFR Act 1873/ILP in Nagaland, he said that the ‘State government has notified enforcement of ILP within the entire jurisdiction of Nagaland including Dimapur of which the date of implementation is still eagerly awaited.’ Credit goes to JCPI an umbrella organization of NTC backed by 28 civil society organizations including Nagaland Tribes Hohos for the service rendered thus far on ILP, he added.
‘NTC is open to all’
Expressing that NTC is open to all Tribal Apex Hohos, CSOs and all the citizens in the state, Yepthomi asserted that it shall solidly work with all like-minded organizations in order to set the things right to the desire of the Nagas of Nagaland.
He further urged upon all the tribal bodies in the state of Nagaland to take its respective decisions on the issues that are in public domain and collectively work to deliver what is honourable and acceptable to the native people of the state.
Tribal hoho leaders from Ao, Lotha, Pochury and Sema and NTC counsellor from Angami community K Seyie also spoke on the occasion, the release said.
Chaired by NTC Executive Member, Joshua Newmai the session commenced with prayer by Pochury Baptist Church Kohima, Pastor, Dr Z Mosa Tsang. NTC Secretary, Atathu Thur led the gathering in obituary reference while NTC General Secretary, Nribemo Ngullie presented the secretarial report. NTC Vice President, Imsünok Ao said the vote of thanks.
