
There has been much hue and cry among different sections of Naga society over the granting of Indigenous Naga Tribe status to 1313 Rongmei community in Nagaland by state Government in 2012. Surprisingly, this was resulted with the declaration of dissociation of three major tribes- Ao Senden, Sumi Hoho and Lotha Hoho from Naga Hoho since 31st August 2016, alleging that the Naga Hoho have endorsed the state government in 2008 to recognize Rongmeis as a separate tribe of Nagaland.
Subsequently, the Naga Hoho had clarified time and again through media denying the Naga Hoho’s letter of endorsement to state government and further justified that the Naga Hoho have only shared its views and opinion for granting of “Indigenous Naga Inhabitant” status to Rongmei community as enjoyed by Garos, Kukis and Kacharis in line with Government Notification No.AR-8/76 Dated, the 28th April, 1977.
We have also noted CNTC’s clarification on Rongmei issue which was appeared in all leading dailies of the state on 15/16 October 2016, over the “subject” matter of its letter to the Govt. of Nagaland.
It is a matter of general knowledge that for any official letter, a subject is used which the author of the letter chooses to highlight the content(s) of the letter. As a common practice, any respondent to the same letter uses the same subject for ready reference. In the present case, the state govt. letter No. GAB-10/1/77(Pt) dated 25.07.2008 addressed to the Naga Hoho carried the subject – “Representation by Rongmei Community, Nagaland for granting of status of Indigenous Naga Tribe to Rongmei Community settled in Nagaland”. Resorting to the general practice, Naga Hoho’s letter No. NH/Corr/2008-11 dated 22.09.2008 written in response to the state govt’s letter mentioned above used the same subject, though slightly truncated by removing the phrase “Representation by Rongmei Community, Nagaland” in order to make it known that the letter is in response to the issue raised by the state govt.
However, the body of the letter amply expresses the view of the Naga Hoho, the main points mentioned being that – a) The Naga Hoho supports the desire of the state govt. which is that of granting Indigenous Inhabitant of Nagaland to Rongmei Community. This argument is supported by the fact that till the time of exchange of these letters, all the prevailing state govt. notifications/orders rendered the Rongmei Community members settled before the formation of Nagaland state in December 1963, eligible for Indigenous Inhabitants only and not Indigenous Naga Tribe. That being the stated state govt. policy, granting of Indigenous Inhabitant status to the above mentioned category of Rongmei Community was without doubt assumed by Naga Hoho to be the desire of the state govt.; b) to support its opinion further, Naga Hoho in the same letter justified it by citing the examples of Kukis, Garos and Kacharis who were enjoying the privilege of Indigenous Inhabitants of the state in accordance with the state govt. Notification No. AR-8/76 dated 28.04.1977 which describes the eligibility criteria for consideration of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland. There might have confusion with different interpretation over the subject matter among the people and therefore Naga Hoho has laid bare in the public domain its position which was reiterated time and again through mass media and other platforms.
The Naga Hoho clarified once again in its Federal Assembly on held on 28.09.2016 resolved to clarify and reaffirmed its position that; “On being approached by the Government of Nagaland seeking the opinion of the Naga Hoho on the above matter vide its letter No.GAB-10/1/77 (Pt) dated-25th July, 2008 , the Naga Hoho vide its letter No. NH/Corr/2008-11, dated, 22.9.08 conveyed the unanimous and unambiguous views of its Presidential Council held on 05.09.2008 in favour of granting of Indigenous Inhabitant status to Rongmei Community as per Government Notification No. AR-8/76 Dated Kohima the 28th April1977”. Further, the Naga Hoho registered its Memorandum address to the Chief Minister of Nagaland on 14th October, 2016 and reiterated that... such issues should not jeopardize the unity of Naga family at this crucial juncture, we urge your competent authority to re-examine the decision of state Government through the constituted cabinet sub-committee on Rongmei issue in depth and find out the solution in consultation with all stake holders/ Tribal Hohos at the earliest. Keeping all this in mind, Naga Hoho has appealed twice to the dissociated Tribe Hoho’s to review their decision considering the validity of justification on the question of Rongmei community. Unfortunately, we could not get any positive reply till date.
In the meantime, the Naga Hoho Empowered Committee on Goodwill Mission for the three tribes submitted its proposal on 18th November, 2016 to the Executive Council requesting to “withdraw the expressed views and opinions of the Naga Hoho to the Government of Nagaland on the issue of granting status of Indigenous Naga Inhabitant to Rongmei community” in order to strengthen the unity and fraternity of Naga Hoho.
In this backdrop, the Presidential Council of the Naga Hoho along with Empowered Committee on Goodwill Mission held its meeting on 21st November, 2016 at Hotel Japfu Kohima unanimously resolved to withdraw the letter written by Naga Hoho Vide No. NH/Corr/2008-11, Dated-22nd September, 2008 as demanded by the three tribes – Ao Senden, Sumi Hoho and Lotha Hoho under the banner of CNTC. The Naga Hoho decided to nullify its views and opinion which was shared with state Government on 22nd September 2008 with a view to strengthen the bond of relationship among different Naga tribes and to foster unity and fraternity as one Naga family.
It is up to the CNTC and its constituent units to decide whether to keep on debating with Naga Hoho or to appeal the state government to bring about a justifiable closure on the Rongmei imbroglio, the power to decide on which ultimately lies with the state government. However, we fervently appeal once again to Ao Senden, Sumi Hoho and Lotha Hoho to join the Naga Hoho in the spirit of forgiveness towards greater heights.
P.Chuba Ozukum, President Kenyuseng Tep, Deputy Speaker Mutsikhoyu Yhobu, General Secretary