Naga Hoho clarification on “CNTC Disassociates with Naga Hoho”

Apropos to the News item that appeared in Nagaland Post on 1-9-16 under the Caption “CNTC Disassociates with Naga Hoho”issued by the President Mr Hokiye Yeputhomi and the General Secretary Mr Imtinochet Kubzar of CNTC, the following points would hopefully clarify the doubt in the said statement :-

1. The issue for granting of status of Indigenous Naga Tribe to Rongmei Community settled in Nagaland, the State Government by Letter No. GAB-10/1/77(Pt) dated 25-7-08, informed and sought the following views and opinion from the Naga Hoho:-

(a) The Govt. had ordered a special enumeration of the members of the Rongmei community who had settled in the state prior to formation of Nagaland state in 1963 and who are eligible to be treated as Indigenous Inhabitant of the state in terms of Notification dated 28^th April, 1977, and  sought the views as to;

(b)  Whether members of the Rongmei community who had settled in the state prior to the formation of Nagaland state in December, 1963 and who are eligible to be treated as Indigenous Inhabitant of the state in terms of the above Notification should be counted as one of the Indigenous Naga Tribe or Whether they could be counted as one of the non-Naga Indigenous Tribes of Nagaland.

2. The views and the opinion sought by the Government in the said subject were deliberated / discussed in the Naga Hoho Presidential Council Meeting held on 5-9-08 at Hotel Japfu Kohima as the Executive Council Members alone could not take decision for such contentious issues. In the said meeting, representative of the Apex Tribal Body including Ao Senden, Sumi Hoho and the erstwhile Kyong Hoho too attended the meeting. Ao Senden was represented by its General Secretary Shri. Temjen Paul, Sumi Hoho President Hokishe Yeptho and Yansathung Jami, President of Kyong Hoho and host of Representatives from APO, CPO, Zeliangrong Baudi and UNC.
3. In the said Naga Hoho Presidential Council Meeting held on 5-9-08 at Hotel Japfu Kohima, it was collectively viewed that Rongmei community is eligible to be recognized as desired by the State Government basing on the fact that the Kukis, Garos & Kacharis are enjoying the privilege of the Indigenous inhabitants of the State in terms of Government Notification No. AR-8/76, Dated, 28^th April 1997. The house had also taken into cognizance that the Rongmei community has been recognized by the Government of India long before as one of the tribes in India. Accordingly, the opinion of the Naga Hoho was communicated to the Government vide Letter No. NH/Corr/2008-11 dated 22-9-08 and further appealed to the Govt that “the committee should examine with all seriousness in regard to conduct of enumeration and include only the eligible people belonging to Rongmei community who had settled in Nagaland prior to the formation of Nagaland State so as to evade communal ramification in days to come”.

The letter dated 22-9-08 to the Government of Nagaland contained just the opinion and views of the Naga Hoho and not “Endorsement” as alleged. In fact the opinion and views contained in the letter dated 22-9-08 was arrived in presence of the representative of other Tribal Apex Bodies, and at no point of time, the Ao Senden or the Sumi Hoho and other tribal bodies consulted the Naga Hoho to withdraw their earlier views and opinion conveyed to the Government. Surprisingly, the CNTC have given a direction to the Naga Hoho to withdraw its views and opinion without observing procedural lapses and formalities by giving 30 days deadline which expired on 31-8-16. In this context, the Executive Council cannot overrule the decision of either Presidential Council or Federal Assembly of Naga Hoho.

Article7 of the Naga Hoho Constitution clearly says that “Naga Organisations formed by members of various Naga Tribes collectively or otherwise not affiliated to the Naga Hoho shall remain as sub-ordinate body (ies) to the Naga Hoho”. The door is open if any newly formed Naga Organisations or otherwise is willing to become the Sub –ordinate bodies of Naga Hoho in line with the Motto and directive principles of the Naga Hoho. However Naga Hoho cannot force any organisation to be a part and parcel of Naga Hoho in case they are not willing to co-operate with Naga Hoho.

The newly formed Central Nagaland tribes Council (CNTC) did not communicate to Naga Hoho officially about its formation and their objectives till date although the three constituent Units / Tribes –Ao, Sumi and Lotha are directly affiliated to Naga Hoho. Unfortunately, Lotha Hoho is currently not affiliated to Naga Hoho because of differences within their Community.  The erstwhile Kyong Hoho was the only recognised Lotha apex organisation under Naga Hoho until the mass resignation of its officials on 14^th Oct 2015.

Naga Hoho is very clear that any organization/Council/Union etc follow guidelines and certain decorum to be adhered to when it comes to working relationship either with counterparts or different Government machineries. The ultimatum served to Naga Hoho by CNTC in written and through media cannot be acknowledged, for the very fact that Naga Hoho is not answerable to CNTC except to Ao Senden and Sumi Hoho. Above all most importantly,   it is not in the hands of Naga Hoho either to recognize or reject granting of Indigenous Naga tribe to Rongmei Community since it is solely under the prerogative of the State Government and therefore the question of CNTC’s disassociation from Naga Hoho over the recognition of Rongmei tribe does not arise as highlighted in the local media on 1^st September 2016.

Our valued Federating Units who are trying to tarnish Naga Hoho through undemocratic and unethical means shows lack of far sightedness. Issuing diktat by CNTC on behalf of the entire Ao and Sumi Community and further directing the Naga Hoho officials from the three tribes to “Exit immediately” is beyond our comprehension. We strongly feel that Aos and Sumis must take consensus decision through General Body meeting either to disassociate / withdraw from the membership of Naga Hoho.

Sensing that the “Rongmei” issue had become a bone of contention among various sections of the Naga Society, Naga Hoho had notified on 27^th August 2016 through Media that Naga Hoho Federal Assembly would be held on 28^th Sept. 2016 at Kohima where “Tribe Recognition” issue would be one of the main agenda. In this regard, Naga Hoho fervently appeals to Ao Senden and Sumi Hoho to attend the scheduled Federal Assembly and share their opinions and grievances democratically so as to enable us to come out with an acceptable decision in the best interest of our Naga people.

We assert that the news item published by the CNTC under the caption “CNTC Disassociates with Naga Hoho” is totally misguiding which is nothing but playing hide and seek game to bring social disharmony among various sections of Naga society.

 KUKNALIM

 Communication Cell

Naga Hoho