NTC says it harbors no hidden agenda
Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 11
REACTING to the Naga Hoho’s claim that seven apex tribal bodies from Nagaland had “strongly reaffirmed” not to participate or depute representatives to the Nagaland Tribes Council, the Ao Senden on Thursday clarified that the Naga Hoho had misinterpreted their (Ao Senden) statement given at the Federal Assembly.President of Ao Senden, Dr Sangyu Yaden told Eastern Mirror that the Ao Senden had repeatedly told the meeting that it would support and participate in the formation of NTC, if all the tribes within Nagaland were party to it.
As such, he said, the Ao Senden still stand firmly on its September 17 mid-tern general conference resolution whereby it decided to depute two representatives to the NTC, as demanded by the mobilization committee. Dr Sangyu Yaden is already in Kohima to attend the launch of NTC on Saturday at APO Hall, Kohima.
ZPO reaffirms support to NTC
Separately, the Zeliang People Organisation (ZPO) has also reiterated that “the ZPO and Zeliang people of Peren district fully hold up the formation of NTC” and it was not an “underside entities of Naga Hoho nor will they be tagged on by the dictates of the latter (Naga Hoho).”
“The Zeliang people in their inherent right and dignified identity as a recognized tribe of Nagaland under the aegis of its Apex organization, the Zeliang People Organization (ZPO) is attending the launching of Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) on Saturday, September 12 at APO Hall, Kohima,” said a ZPO press statement.
NTC reacts to Naga Hoho
Reacting to Naga Hoho statement that appeared in local dailies on October 11, the NTC on Thursday reiterated that it does not harbour any hidden agenda “nor will it ever take interest in interfering in the affairs of others.”
“Going by the news item in question, 18 tribes attended and resolved to reiterate its resolution. It means 7 tribes are from Nagaland and the rest 11 tribes are from outside Nagaland. The Nagas of Nagaland, particularly the willing partners, have its legitimate right to have its own association and therefore, it is wiser for Naga Hoho to restrain from undue exercise for the sake of peaceful coexistence,” the statement read.
“The NTC is being launched in the best interest of Nagas of Nagaland. This platform is the common property of the 14 Naga tribes of Nagaland State. We therefore welcome every Naga of Nagaland to own and be part of it. As far as attendance is concerned we don’t or will ever force anyone to participate except on volition.”
Also responding to the Naga Hoho’s earlier jibe at the NTC formation as “premature and not appropriate”, the NTC said “it is almost late for the Nagas of Nagaland to have its own platform and its formation is a long felt need.
“Yet better late than never, as we are launching NTC today (Saturday). Also, while the Nagas are struggling for social and political fraternity the use of suppressive mechanism is a borrowed culture and therefore such attempts are alien to Nagas of Nagaland,” it added.
