DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 6 (MExN): The Naga Hoho has withdrawn and disowned the statement made by its president Chuba Ozukum, reported and published by the Indian Express under the caption ‘Nagaland Violence: Protesters start bandh, want govt out’ on the February 5, 2017 issue and declared the statement as his personal view.
Naga Hoho general secretary, Mutsikhoyo Yhobu and finance secretary Ruungutou Sechu in a press statement on Monday said the claim made by “Ozukum that the state govt has fulfilled its demand is unacceptable to the Executives of the Naga Hoho.”
According to the Hoho, Ozukum is reported to have commented, “Unlike the NTAC and JCC, the Naga Hoho an apex body of traditional organizations representing over 12 Naga tribes has expressed satisfaction at the Government cancelling the ULBs polls.” “Our basic demand has been fulfilled. It is now for the state Govt. to start a sincere dialogue with the people in order to resolve the long pending issue.”
Meanwhile, the Naga Hoho has informed that any official(s) from the office attending the consultative meeting called by Chief Minister on the February 8, 2017, will be doing so on his individual capacity and not as a representative of the Naga Hoho.
A Clarification
In the story headlined "Naga protestors start bandh, want govt out" published in The Indian Express on February 5, 2017, I had used the word "UNLIKE” in para 11, which may have totally caused misinterpretation of the Naga Hoho President Chuba Ozukum’s views who answered solely on the question whether he was satisfied with the cancellation of the urban local body elections. The president was not questioned on the further course of action or demands by the other bodies. The news item was also not meant to be a comparison of the NTAC and JCC with Naga Hoho. I request the readers not to read between the lines and come to conclusions since I personally observed that Chuba Ozukum had no other intention nor some hidden agendas in his replies. In fact he was very sincere and forthcoming towards solving the present imbroglio in regards to ULBs elections. Samudra Gupta Kashyap Camp: Kohima
