Dimapur, July 25 (MExN): The Naga Hoho has reminded the underground groups that the “reconciliation process” can not be considered a ‘license’ to impose what the hoho called “taxation,” upon the innocent citizens of Nagaland. The organization issued a note today listing out a number of statements framed during a consultative meeting of the Naga Hoho held today, July 25 at Hotel Vivor in Kohima.
Among the statements, called “resolutions”, included one that said the tribal organizations’ would be offering their opinions later on over the draft modalities for exploration of oil and natural gas in Nagaland; appreciation for the Joint Legislature Forum for their “willingness to resign from the present position/ status in the event of Indo-Naga political settlement.”
Urging the “political groups” to shun “all forms of kidnapping and killings in Naga areas,” the ‘hoho’ said the period of peace time is not permission for them to extort from the innocent citizens. “We further appeals to all groups to avoid random collection of taxes keeping in mind the reconciliation process can not be considered a license to impose taxation upon the innocent citizens,” the Naga Hoho stated in the press release appended by its president Keviletuo Kiewhuo and general secretary P Chuba Ozukum.
On the issue of draft modalities for exploration of oil and natural gas in Nagaland, the ‘hoho’ said “most of the tribe hohos could not come with the concrete decision/opinion and therefore it was resolved that the tribe hohos shall submit their decision in written to the Naga Hoho before 31st July, 2012 for further rectification and submission to the Cabinet Sub-Committee for necessary action.”
On the ongoing “peace process,” the Naga Hoho said it “fully appreciates the landmark resolution” adopted by the Joint Legislature Forum under the leadership of chief minister Neiphiu Rio “for their willingness to resign from the present position/ status in the event of Indo-Naga political settlement.” The Naga Hoho appeals to the Naga MLAs in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh to “follow the footsteps of Nagaland legislatures in case of any agreement/ settlement in Naga inhabited areas.”
The Naga Hoho appreciated the Government of India and “principal negotiators” for working with “utmost care and sincerity towards bringing Indo-Naga political settlement at the earliest possible time.” The organization reiterates “the earlier resolution” to support the ongoing peace process and “that the Naga political problem must solve within the year 2012.”
