URGES TRIBAL BODIES OF NAGALAND TO TAKE RESPECTIVE DECISIONS ON ISSUES
Principal Correspondent
KOHIMA, OCTOBER 12
Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) while asserting that it is not against any form of development in the State today affirmed not to allow development at the cost of forgoing the rights of Naga people of Nagaland.
The affirmation was made during the 1st Anniversary of NTC Launching Day and dedication of its office at Ura Hotel here this afternoon.
Delivering the presidential address, NTC acting president Lendinoktang Ao said, “The council was formed under immense pressure to represent the voice of the Nagas of Nagaland when the State government took anti-people decision to recognise Rongmei as an indigenous tribe of Nagaland”.
Expressing that change in society is inevitable, he said, “A positive change ushering social harmony and peaceful coexistence amongst the people is most welcome”.
“In a time when our society is experiencing negative trend of self-destruction and confusion all around, the concept of having a platform like NTC aiming to represent the people and to demonstrate people’s supremacy over divisive and self-destructive actions is nothing short of divine intervention for our society,” he said.
He asserted that self-realization and reassertion of their social values and identity are the realms where NTC steadfastly dwells its action.
Expressing that despite many hurdles, NTC could provide a platform to all the citizens to rise on the occasion and participate to represent their voice and aspiration, he highlighted some of the important interventions and programmes of NTC being carried out within the calendar year.
He then alleged that certain hidden policy of some sections of the state political leaders to bring more tribes from outside the state thereby providing the status of an indigenous tribe to outsiders was utterly exposed as the Rongmei tribe is given recognition as one of the indigenous tribes of Nagaland, throwing all established norms and violating the law of the land.
He said several joint representations with ENPO were submitted to the state government expressing strong objection to the tribe recognition given to Rongmei in the state. Nonetheless, he lamented that the government of the day is ignoring the voice of the people and relentlessly pursuing its own anti-people agenda.
Remarking the Nagaland Special Development Zone (NSDZ) as another “flabbergasting concept of bartering away our rights and privileges enshrined in Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution” in the guise of development, under which existing laws like Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act, 1873 and Nagaland Land Revenue Act, 1978 are proposed to be reviewed and relaxed to provide permanent settlement to non-Nagas and outsiders, the NTC said that its in-depth studies and wide consultation with the people of the state have come out with a strong voice to protect the inherent rights and privileges of the Nagas.
He said there are many other issues to be addressed. The time has come for the people to raise its voice aloud and with articulation, he said, adding that the NTC is for the Nagas of this state and is prepared to travel to any distance to venture with the people in power to deliver what is justice and fair to the citizens of the State.
“The NTC will take the people on board to fight anti-people actions of any government,” he asserted, adding, “Any government that deviates from the people’s mandate and fails to represent the interest of the people must be subjected to the verdict of the people”.
Expressing that the long cherished honorable solution to the Naga political issue needs to be worked out through the prism of the affected people and its desire to attain peaceful existence, the Council president said NTC will put its efforts to see the destiny of the Nagas of Nagaland are not allowed to be decided by the outsiders.
He said that the NTC is presently undertaking intensive studies on Article 371(A) and its impact on the Nagas of Nagaland and the state; the issues relating to Assam and Nagaland border and Right to Education (RTE) and its impact on Nagaland students. After making comprehensive study on the related issues, the council will make public its findings and invite necessary views and opinions of the legitimate citizens of the state before taking final decisions to take up with the appropriate authorities for necessary reviews and appropriate actions, he added.
The NTC president also urged all the tribal bodies of Nagaland to take their respective decisions on the issues that are in public domain and collectively work to deliver what is honorable and acceptable to the citizens of the state.
NTC founding member Krurovi Peseyie also delivered a short speech while NTC’s first president, Thepfulhouvi Solo extended greetings.
E-Evangelist (SEA) Rev. Dr. L. Tsanso shared the message on the occasion, which was chaired by NTC Executive Council Member, C. Lima Imchen, IPS (Rtd) and commenced with thanks giving prayer offered by Associate Pastor of Sumi Baptist Church Kohima Dr. Hokheto Chophi. NTC general secretary, Nribemo Ngullie tendered the vote of thanks. NTC has opened its office at Red Cross Building Complex.
