Says parallel platforms risk fragmentation
KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 15 (MExN): The Nagaland Tribal Hohos Coordination Committee (NTHCC) on Saturday announced that it will abstain from the “Common Platform” proposed for November 18, stating that participation could create parallelism and undermine the ongoing reconciliation process led by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR).
In a statement issued by the Angami Public Organisation, Ao Senden, Chakhesang Public Organisation, Lotha Hoho, Pochury Hoho, Rengma Hoho, Sümi Hoho and the Nagaland Zeliang People’s Organisation, the NTHCC said the decision was taken to maintain coherence in the broader efforts toward Naga political reconciliation.
The Committee reiterated that it remains aligned with the FNR-initiated process, recalling the key milestones adopted this year. It noted that on August 23 at Ungma village, 16 Naga Political Groups (NPGs), 34 Tribal Hohos and the FNR adopted the Ungma Statement, committing to unconditioned convergence and a shared political vision based on the historical and political rights of the Naga people.
This was reaffirmed on September 27 in Zunheboto, where 15 NPGs, 33 Tribal Hohos and the FNR endorsed the Zunheboto Resolution, pledging forgiveness, mutual respect and the pursuit of inclusive reconciliation.
The NTHCC said its own resolution of September 20 had endorsed the FNR’s initiative to bring all Naga political groups onto a single platform. While acknowledging the efforts of the All Nagaland GBs Association and other stakeholders to unify Naga political voices, it expressed concern that the creation of a separate Common Platform risked weakening the spirit of convergence emphasized in the Ungma and Zunheboto decisions.
“Such fragmentation could dilute the collective aspiration of the Naga people and set back the process of genuine reconciliation,” it said.
Emphasising that the apex tribal Hohos represented in the NTHCC constitute the legitimate voice of their entire tribes, including Gaon Buras and other tribal civil society organisations, the Committee appealed to all tribal bodies, GBs and CSOs to repose trust in their apex organisations which have endorsed the FNR-led path of reconciliation.
The NTHCC welcomed the Government of Nagaland’s endorsement of the Ungma Statement through the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) and urged the State Government to remain consistent “not only in rhetoric but in sustained political will and policy” in support of a durable and inclusive solution to the Naga political issue.
Reiterating the need to avoid the emergence of parallel platforms, the Committee appealed to the Central Nagaland Tribal Council, the Tenyimia Union Nagaland and the GBs of the NTHCC tribes to also abstain from the November 18 programme, stating that such participation could dilute the reconciliation process already underway.
Affirming that a unified, consensus-driven and morally grounded approach remains essential for a just and lasting political settlement, the NTHCC called upon all Naga Political Groups, tribal bodies and stakeholders to recommit to the FNR-backed process anchored in the Ungma Statement and the Zunheboto Resolution.
.JPG)
