Lotha bodies oppose recommendation to defer delimitation

Dimapur, June 26 (EMN): Lotha Hoho (LH) and Lotha Students’ Union (LSU) have vehemently condemned the action of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, president of BJP Nagaland Temjen Imna Along, and the BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav, for recommending postponement of delimitation in Nagaland.

Lotha Hoho felt that president of BJP Nagaland and the chief minister had recommended the postponement on their own without the consent of party legislators or party leaders. LH has taken the stand of the duo and Ram Madhav as anti-Naga and with vested tribalistic interest against the general Naga interest.

“All Nagas, even those supporting postponement of delimitation, know very well that the last delimitation was implemented fifty years ago; in 1974-75 (on the basis of 1971 census) and it is high time that delimitation must come to Nagaland since it is for the common interest of all Nagas and for fairness,” the hoho chairman Mhondamo Ovung and joint secretary Amos Lotha stated.

It went on to say that the Naga political settlement and delimitation are two entirely different issues and linking the two issues was only a lame excuse and with vested interest. It also stated that delimitation would not disturb any decree of the Indian Constitution or the delimitation.

The hoho stated that it would oppose the unfair and tribalistic attitude of the duo and invited all right thinking Nagas to condemn their action. The hoho also affirmed support to its earlier stand on delimitation.

Since the Delimitation Act was passed by the Indian Parliament and since the Delimitation Commission was constituted by the BJP government of India, it stated that a party leader who opposes the ordinance of its own government in the like of Temjen Imna Along must be removed from office and taken disciplinary action.

In a separate statement, Lotha Students’ Union (LSU) has expressed utter shock and disbelief to learn about the recommendations of the BJP Nagaland president Temjen Imna Along and the chief minister Neiphiu Rio to postpone the delimitation exercise saying, “such a deceitful step taken by our leadership has deeply hurt the sentiments of the younger generation of Lothas and our fellow tribes affected by this illogical and disproportionate distribution of assembly seats”.

LSU’s statement issued by its president Ashanthung Humtsoe and the general secretary Pithungo Shitio, stated that it would be extremely unwise on the part of the central government and the ECI to take inputs of only a few vested individuals, while disregarding the voices of the underprivileged Naga tribes and discrediting the constitutional mandate by recommending postponement of the delimitation exercise.

The union also advised the BJP to exercise extreme caution before making such careless and insensitive utterances in public domain without understanding the history of Naga people. It also warned that the youths would not remain silent spectators anymore but take strong steps to the streets if leaders of the party instigate the ugly side of tribalism instead of working for creating harmony and unity among the Naga people.

“Today, the Naga people will witness the true colours of our leaders, whether they want to build a hypocritical and corrupted society based on lies or build a progressive and harmonious Naga society based on truth, facts and rationality,” LSU stated.

It stated that Lothas are not asking for anything beyond reasonable but only to give back what rightfully belongs to them. It added that they are not asking for anything which is unfair but only seeking for truth and justice.
“Justice is all we seek and we appeal to all our Naga brothers and sisters to honour this request as this will go a long way in building a stronger bond among ourselves as Nagas,” LSU added.

It has affirmed to undertake whatever it takes to ensure that dirty politics is not allowed to destroy the fabric of Naga society. It also alleged that persons with vested interests are manipulating the minds of people by mixing the two completely independent issues of ‘Solution’ and ‘Delimitation.’ It appealed not to create a delusional paradox by juxtapositioning two unrelated issues.

“Delimitation should be implemented as stipulated by the Constitution of India and Naga solution should be implemented as agreed upon by the Government of India and the Naga people,” LSU asserted. It stated the young generation are not fools to be manipulated by naïve excuses to postpone the delimitation exercise.

It warned that those persons inciting oppressive tribalism tactics would not be tolerated at any cost but take strong steps if their liberal and civilised approach of reasoning is neglected.

It further stated that delimitation within the stipulated timeline must be completed based only on truth, fact and logic and as mandated by the Constitution of India.