Disassociation: Cracks appear in Ao Senden

Dimapur, September 25 : Two days after the Ao Senden’s federal council resolved to dissociate from the Naga Hoho, one of the regional constituents of the former, the Jangpetkong Senso Mungdang (JSM), has dissociated from the Ao Senden’s decision. The regional forum that was formerly known as the Changkikong Senso Mungdang consists of villages that are geographically located on the Jangpetkong range (ridge). In a press release in the Ao vernacular that was made available to the media stated that the union had written a letter to the Ao Senden on September 15 with an appeal–on the issue of the status of Rongmei tribe–it should break any ties with any other body so that the rights of the Aos can continue to be exercised freely in all platforms. The press release was appended by JSM’s President Nungsangtoshi, and General Secretary J. Chubatoshi. Further, the organization appealed to the Ao Senden to have a favourable decision on the matter at the earliest. Also, based on its understanding as expressed in the letter to the Ao Senden, the JSM was not willing to the decision of the Ao Senden and that JSM was not a party to the decision to dissociate from the Naga Hoho. The current president of the Naga Hoho is from one of the constituent villages of the JSM. Also, reliable sources have informed Eastern Mirror that there were visible cracks in the Ao Senden on the current issue as some leadership walked out on the day of the Federal Council on 23 September. It may be noted that the decision of the Ao Senden–as released to the media on September 23–had only the signatures of its vice president and the general secretary. At the time of filing this news, calls made to the president of the Ao Senden were not returned.