Dimapur, August 6 (MExN): Several tribal apex bodies and Dimapur-based organisations have expressed strong disapproval over the Nagaland State Government’s decision to exclude key stakeholders, including six tribes and the Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC), from the consultative meeting scheduled for August 7 regarding the Nagaland Foothills Road Project.
According to a joint statement, leaders from the Chang, Khiamniungan, Sangtam, Yimkhiung, Tikhir, and Rengma tribes were not invited to the meeting convened at the Chief Minister’s Residential Complex in Kohima. The non-inclusion of the NFHRCC, the committee that originally conceptualised the project in 2013, has also been sharply criticised as a major oversight.
The State Government’s action is “deeply” hurtful and disturbing, conveyed a statement jointly issued by Ao Senden, Lotha Hoho Wokha, Zeliang People’s Organisation Dimapur, Konyak Union Dimapur, Phom People’s Union Dimapur, Kuki Inpi Nagaland, Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur, and the Northern Sumi Community Dimapur.
“It is very painful to state that our friends who are selflessly contributing towards the progress and development of our State are being excluded from the meeting which is scheduled to discuss the project,” it noted.
They have tirelessly contributed financially, physically, and mentally towards the progress of the Foothills Road Project for the past 13 years, and their exclusion is both unjust and counterproductive, the statement added.
The organisations further underscored that the Foothills Road Project is not owned by any one tribe or landowning group but is a common asset for the entire Naga people.
No one tribe can claim superiority or exclusive ownership over this project. It is for all Nagas, and all must be equally involved in shaping its future, the signatories asserted.
The statement also warned that a “pick-and-choose” policy in consultations risks harming the spirit of Naga unity and could jeopardise the successful completion of the project.
Governments may come and go, but the Foothills Road will remain. Excluding those who laid its foundation disrespects the collective vision and sacrifices made, it held.
Criticism was also directed at the selective invitation of just 15 of the 60 MLAs in the upcoming meeting, despite the Nagaland Legislative Assembly functioning under an opposition-less setup.
All 60 MLAs represent the Naga people and are equally responsible for the development of the State, and their exclusion from such an important meeting is both surprising and unwarranted, the joint statement asserted.
Further, it pointed out that despite its central role since 2013, the NFHRCC has repeatedly been sidelined, citing a previous meeting held on April 30 this year, when all tribal apex bodies and MLAs were invited—except the Committee.
Public backlash reportedly led to that meeting being postponed, the statement implied.
Once again, the meeting has been convened for the same agenda. It is utterly surprising that the number of invitees has been dramatically reduced, excluding the NFHRCC, six apex tribal hohos, and 45 MLAs, it added.
To this end, the organisations, while expressing gratitude and appreciation, also conveyed that they equally share the pain and agony of the Chang, Khiamniungan, Sangtam, Yimkhiung, Tikhir, and Rengma tribes.
“No matter whatever situation you may face, we are always one, and we will work together till our historic project is successfully accomplished,” they conveyed.
