No solution can come out without consulting stakeholder: ANGA

Kohima, December 12 (MExN): The All Angami GBs Association (ANGA), while acknowledging the efforts of the Government of India and the Naga Political Groups to bring an early solution to the Indo-Naga issue, today made a clear assertion that “no solution can come out without consulting the stakeholder.” 

Going into the history of the Naga struggle, the Association in a press release noted that when Commissioner Simon came to Khonoma Village to visit Damant’s tomb (British political officer killed on 13th oct, 1879 during the battle of Khonoma),  it was G.B/Peyu Sokhrielie Angami who told him to “leave Nagas alone as before, once the British leave India.”

‘Sir John Simon was so impressed by his word so that he recorded it in writing,’ maintained the ANGA  in the release issued by its  President, Thepfukedo Kuotsu and General Secretary, Lhousavi Kipu. 

Thereafter, the Naga Club sent a representation to the British Statutory Commission and in the same line, the Naga National Council was formed in 1946 under the leadership of AZ Phizo and declared Naga Independence on August 14, 1947, it said.  

“And on May 16 1951, plebiscite was held at Kohima Local ground to re-affirm our right to self determination where 99.9% voted in favour and subsequently as per the desire of the Nagas, the Yehzabo was approved on January 21, 1956 and the Federal Government of Nagaland was formed on March 22, 1956,” it added. 

However, due to differences in ideologies and with the formation of different factions later on, the GBs or Village Chiefs had been time and again pleading for all to come together, but with no positive outcome, the ANGA stated. 

In this connection, the Association maintained that it is clear that the GBs or Village Chiefs had played a vital role from the early days to till date.

The ANGA “still stand by our earlier stand that too many lives had been sacrificed and therefore no solution can and should not happen for the sake of a package forgetting the people who laid down their lives for a free Nagaland,” it added.