Dimapur, September 20 (MExN): The Tangkhul “national workers” of the NSCN-IM today issued a statement defending as ‘justified’ the decision of the Tangkhul Naga Long excommunicating Rev. Dr. Tuisem Shishak. An NSCN-IM’s MIP issue asserted that it is “ridiculous” to defend a person by virtue of his social standing and “feigned ignorance about the other side of the story.”
His arrogance was quite unbecoming of his professed “high-sounding title” as reverend, the “national workers” stated in the MIP note. He refused to ‘translate humbleness into practice’, which actually should have been the trait of a “true reverend,” the NSCN-IM workers stated.
It explained. “This is the situation with Dr. Tuisem and the uncalled for criticism on TNL by some vested individuals and organizations. But the ultimate analysis of the situation it is to be admitted that it is the Tangkhuls who knows Dr. Tuisem from close angle and therefore action taken against him for his temerity to challenge the whole Tangkhuls. Or the same reason the Tangkhul national workers have no inhibition to fully endorse the decision of the TNL in excommunication Dr. Tuisem for six years.”
Dr. Tuisem cannot justify his utterances against the Tangkhuls “exploiting the Holy name of God” queried. “He cannot claim to do justice to God by playing hell with the conscience of the Tangkhul community. Being arrogant is not a Christian trait in the sight of God. And he can never be saved if he goes on justifying himself or on his behalf by others.” The Tangkhul “national workers” further stated it would be foolhardy for the community not to interpret his “inside game-plan” in correct perspective.
The NSCN-IM MIP also acknowledged that Nagas have a strong attachment to customary values and it is imprudent to undermine the customary authority. “Dr. Tuisem will be taking a greater risk f his life if he considers himself above the Tangkhul customary law. Stating that there is hardly nay option left, the “national workers” asserted that “in the fullness of our conscience, the Tangkhul national workers considers the TNL’s action on Dr. Tuisem justified.”
