Dimapur, January 27 (MExN): The Core Committee of Nagaland Tribal Hohos and Civil Organizations (CCNTHCO) has requested the Election Commission of India (ECI) to “rest assured” that the “people of Nagaland are keen and determined to work with the ECI in exercising their franchise to have an elected government.” However, the people of Nagaland “cannot participate in such an exercise till our desire for a political solution is met.”
The CCNTHCO, an umbrella of various civil society organizations of Nagaland, stated this in a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner of India requesting the deferment of assembly elections for Nagaland “in the interest of peace and tranquility.”
“The opportunity for a peaceful resolution of the Naga political issue has never been this favorable as the political negotiations are in advance stage and we cannot afford to distract the focus on the process at any cost,” noted the letter.
Expressing awareness that the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, is “very determined to resolve the Naga issue,” the umbrella of organizations stated that the Government of India Interlocutor RN Ravi along with the Naga negotiating teams are “working hard” and remain “committed to conclude the talks soon.”
Thus, any decision by the ECI to “defer the elections will give crucial time that is needed now for the negotiations to have logical conclusion without allowing anything whatsoever to hamper it.”
In a letter signed by CCNTHCO Convener, Theja Therieh, Co-conveners, HK Zhimomi, Shikuto Zalipu, David Sangtam, and Secretaries, Joshua Newmai and Joel Naga, reminded the ECI that “numerous memoranda and written appeals have been made by all sections of people in Nagaland, including the present elected government in the state, seeking for deferment of elections.” The President of Ao Senden, Chakhesang Public Organisation, Chang Khulie Setshang, Central Nagaland Tribes Council, Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation, Konyak Union, Naga Hoho, Nagaland Tribes Council, Pochury Hoho, Yimchunger Tribal Council, Zeliang’s Public Organisation and Zeliangrong Hoho also appended thier signatures.
On the demand of ‘solution before election,’ the group reminded the ECI that on January 25, at a public consultative mass gathering, the people maintained that the election should be deferred to a later date “so as to allow bringing to a conclusion, in time, the peace dialogue between the Government of India and the Naga Political Groups.”
They also reminded that the people’s elected representatives of the 12th NLA had moved a House Resolution on December 15, 2017, during its 19th session, that urged upon the GoI to “to take emergent and extraordinary steps to usher in an honourable and acceptable solution to the Naga Political Issue well before the General Elections to the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly slated in March, 2018.”
Further, the resolution had urged upon the ECI “not to announce the General Elections...until the Government of India arrives at an honorable and acceptable solution to the Naga Political Issue in order to enable all Nagas to enjoy their due democratic and other rights and function as a more empowered electorate during the elections that may be held after the solution.”
Political parties will not file nominations: CCNTHCO
Kohima, January 27 (MExN): The CCNTHCO has called for a joint meeting of all National and Regional Political Parties and Negotiating Teams (NSCN-IM & NNPGs Working Committee) on ‘Solution before Election’ at Hotel Japfu, Kohima on Monday, January 29 at 11am. It has asked all concerned to attend the meeting positively. The CCNTHCO expressed sincere appreciation to all political parties—NPF, BJP, Congress, NPP, NDPP, NCP, Nagaland Congress, JD (U) and AAP—for showing “whole heartedly supporting the popular wishes of the people on solution before election.” As per the consultative meetings held between the political parties and CCNTHCO, the “the political parties in accordance with the wishes of the people will not file nominations.” In a press release from CCNTHCO Secretary, Joel Naga, and Convener, Theja Therieh, stated that the umbrella body knows what the “adverse ramifications on the ongoing negotiations” can be if “State assembly election is held simultaneously at the moment.” “It is therefore not at all advisable to allow the process of election at the cost of solution which is expected soon after many anxious years,” maintained the body.
