DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 4 (MExN): The Naga Hoho today stated that the Naga people “must own responsibility that we have destroyed the fabric of Indo-Naga political talks.” “It is in the interest of the adversaries that we have defeated ourselves and become enemies of our own selves,” said a press release from the Naga Hoho which was issued “to clarify its role and activities.”
The Naga Hoho said that while “there is nothing wrong with constructive criticism,” some organizations and individuals have time and again “critically questioned with malevolence over the legitimacy of Naga Hoho and its role.” It however noted that “so far none are able to come up with a clear cut solution in addressing the core issues.”
It particularly mentioned statements by former NSF President, Z Lohe, and clarified that at no point of time has the Hoho “changed its position in questioning the integrity and seriousness of RN Ravi who is Interlocutor for the Indo-Naga Peace Talk representing the GoI.”
It said that the Naga Hoho President's statement that "we have no connection with NSCN (IM)'s statement of favouring or not favouring Ravi as Interlocutor from our side was only in reply to a query of a reporter who asked him whether Naga Hoho's representation to PM was in line with or an endorsement of the NSCN (IM)'s letter to PM."
It stated that the Naga Hoho is not questioning any individuals or organisation’s expressed views, but only questioning the Interlocutor as to why he should term the Naga national workers as “underground and armed-gang with whom he is holding peace talks for such long years.”
It further stated that the Naga Hoho’s intention was “never to delay the Naga political solution but to bring Indo-Naga political settlement at the earliest possible time.” It asserted that the Naga Hoho “stands for all Nagas irrespective of boundaries covering the contiguous Naga areas and inclusive political settlement once and for all.”
The Naga Hoho also expressed concern at the Nagaland Gaon Bura Federation’s (NGBF) letter to the Prime Minister “seeking solution within the Union of India.” It stated that the NGBF has “failed to realise that the Naga political struggle is not just for the state of Nagaland but is inclusive of all Naga areas.”
It meanwhile said that the NGBF “is a government agent and it was established to assist the district administration.”
Alleging that “the NGBF has chosen to be part of the problem and not part of the solution,” the Naga Hoho said that “Gaon Buras are never a custodian of Naga customary laws rather they are accountable to every Village Council and the state government and punishable under the provision of law in the event of GB’s failure to abide by the directives of state government.” It said that the NGBF “cannot claim ownership or stakeholder towards solving Indo-Naga political problem.”
While stating that the Naga Hoho has been working persistently for unity and reconciliation, it expressed regret that “Naga people are busy in framing diverse opinion with state-centric and regional interest coupled with unity and political solution.”
“New concepts of peaceful negotiation with GoI have emerged which questions the historical foundation of the Naga movement. We have no reason to blame others but ourselves,” it stated.
While admitting that tribes from Nagaland state have been dissociated from Naga Hoho, it however stated that “nobody can claim that there is no legality or existence of Naga Hoho just because there is no representative from Nagaland state.” “It has been functioning with the majority units and representatives from Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Myanmar and even support from people of Nagaland,” it added.
While stating that the Naga Hoho has never questioned the legitimacy of the Nagaland Tribes Council and the CNTC, it assured that the Hoho would never indulge in “petty issues and politicking against any Naga organization and we expect others to reciprocate in the same manner.”
