DIMAPUR, JANUARY 17 (MExN): Even though the Election Commission of India has announced dates for the Nagaland Assembly Election slated for February 23, 20013, this has not stopped the Naga Hoho from writing to the Governor and calling on the latter to take appropriate steps towards deferment of election process in Nagaland.
“We are of the opinion that solution should precede elections and it is definitely not the right time to hold elections in Nagaland as the entire Naga people are longing for political settlement”, stated a representation to the Governor of Nagaland issued by Naga Hoho President Keviletuo Kiewhuo and General Secretary P. Chuba Ozukum.
Stating that the Naga Hoho (Naga Parliament) is the Apex Body of Naga Traditional political institution/Organization over the entire Naga communities living in India and Burma under different political circumstances, as such, the Naga Hoho pointed out that it was compelled to register this Representation as the voice of the people urging upon the Governor “to reciprocate positively as we bring to the notice of the highest constitutional head of Nagaland state”.
Reminding that the Indo-Naga political problem is now more than six decades unresolved issue, the Naga Hoho informed that the Government of India has signed Cease-Fire Agreement with the Naga political groups and recognized the uniqueness of Naga political history and situation since July 2002.
It was also stated that more than 70 political rounds of negotiations have been held and 15 glorious years has lapsed since 1997. “We are made to understand that India does not seem to be interested in solution but have rather imposed Elections in Nagaland so as to divide the people further”, stated the Naga Hoho.
Pointing out that Naga people were happy to witness the last two years of political negotiations making it more intense in sincerity and commitment, the letter to the Governor also stated that even the sixty member Legislators have strongly voiced out to the Indian leaders about their willingness to pave the way for political solution instead of holding Elections in Nagaland. “When we are in the threshold of peaceful resolution, we are amazed as to why India should impose Elections against the will of the people”, the Naga Hoho representation stated.
As such the Naga Hoho wrote to the Governor that solution should precede elections and it is definitely not the right time to hold elections in Nagaland as the entire Naga people are longing for political settlement. “We also strongly feel that the fifteen years of political negotiations/ dialogues will go in vain if the elections are to be conducted at this crucial juncture”.
In this backdrop, the Naga Hoho has fervently appealed to the Governor to take appropriate steps towards deferment of election process in Nagaland and “give sufficient time for the peace process to accomplish its tasks in the interest of all democratic loving people”.
