DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 5 (MExN): Ao Senden on Wednesday issued a statement to clear the air surrounding its relationship with the Naga Hoho while maintaining that many concerned Naga citizens have been making public statements without knowing the status of our respective positions.
A public statement from Ao Senden president, M Toshi Jamir and general secretary, Pokyim Jamir informed that in the backdrop of the Naga Hoho’s stand in support of the State Government on recognition of Rongmei tribe as an indigenous Naga Tribe of Nagaland State, it asked the Naga Hoho to retract its statement “which was not responded to positively.” Therefore, until Naga Hoho retracts its statement Ao Senden decided to disassociate from Naga Hoho in a meeting called on September 23, 2016.
Subsequently, Ao Senden asked P. Chuba Ozukum, the president of Naga Hoho to relinquish his office on November 11, 2016 since him being a representative of the Aos to Naga Hoho. In response to this, the Naga Hoho in a press release published on November 22, 2016 “resolved not to allow” P. Chuba Ozukum to relinquish his post stating that, “P. Chuba Ozukum’s departure from Hoho does not arise at this juncture as it would prove to be detrimental at the interest of the Nagas in general.”
Consequently, P. Chuba Ozukum was ex-communicated from Ao Community for not adhering to the call of Ao Senden, the statement said. However, P. Chuba Ozukum approached Ao Senden and requested that his ex-communication be revoked. Thus, Ao Senden on November 21, 2017 held a meeting and resolved to reconsider and withdraw his excommunication in the interest of Naga people.
Ao Senden further claimed that some tribal hohos appeared to be exerting undue influence on the Naga Hoho, going to the extent of trying to call meetings usurping the functions of the president. Therefore, on May 25, 2018, Ao Senden conveyed to the Naga Hoho and its Speaker to call for a meeting at the earliest and in the proper procedure.
It also expressed distaste that instead of “honestly talking it out and settling the issue among the respected representatives in the Hoho, the Naga leaders stooped so low as to resort to mudslinging in public domain which has not only created confusion and doubts in the minds of our people but also led to question the wisdom of the leaders.”
Therefore, Ao Senden has opined that if it is not affable for only a few tribal Hohos to drive the bandwagon of Naga Hoho, it is now high time all Nagas came together on a common platform and progress in unison.
