Tribal hohos, NMA need to sit together and talk — Rev. Aier

DIMAPUR — Against the backdrop of the ongoing rift between some tribal hohos and the Naga Mothers Association (NMA), Convenor of Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), Rev. Dr. Wati Aier has underscored the need for the hohos and the women group to sit together and talk.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the inauguration and dedication programme of OM Books in Dimapur on Friday, the FNR convenor was of the view that the differences between the tribal hohos and NMA involved certain “technical issues.”

Aier lamented that at times Nagas jump to conclusion without looking into the issue technically which, he said, creates a lot of confusion. He appealed that at times like this people should not get too emotional.

“Let us not get too emotional…It is something everyone has to sit down together and work it out,” he said.

He also wondered whether Nagas are reading the “contents of the documents well or they are just reading the context.”

Recent ULB tussle not a sign of mature community

Rev. Aier said he sees no reason why the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections, which is for the “common good,” have to be postponed and went on to say that the matter needs to be looked into seriously.

“We need to come to a consensus. After all, it is nothing negative,” he said.

“But this has to come about through our conventional way of doing things. Criticising and ex-communicating one another is not the answer and this is not the sign of a mature community,” he stated.

He advised that the various groups have to sit down together, analyse and interpret. “In my opinion there should never be confusion in this matter,” he added.

On the 33% women reservation for women in ULBs, Aier said the rationale behind the reservation comes with a clear vision and that it is not arbitrarily framed.

 “Are we making wrong decisions? Are we afraid of women? Let us not be. 

“Women can also do big things, and given the chance they have done well and they will continue to do well. I have no doubt about it,” he said, while appealing everyone to be more generous towards each other.

Nagas should read to grow spiritually

Earlier, speaking at the inaugural programme of OM Books store, Rev. Aier said today Naga people are starting to read, and that if they want people to listen to what they say, they need to read.

He also shared that if people want to grow in spirit, in understanding and to challenge the contemporary world, they must read and read. 

Aier, a former Principal of Oriental Theological Seminary, advised the theological students to be avid readers to become someone who can reach out to the contemporary world.

Managing Director of OM Books, Hyderabad, KJ Johnny informed that there are 16 OM Books shops across the country out of which six are in North East.