Rengma bodies condemn demolition of Naga Club building

DIMAPUR: The Rengma frontal organisations including Rengma Hoho (RH), Rengma Mothers’ Association (RMA) and Rengma Selo Zi (RSZ), in a consultative meeting held on June 2, condemned the very action of Naga Club in the wee hour of May 27.

The three organisations have appreciated both NSF and Naga Club officials of the past and present for their yeoman’s service in preserving the legacy of Naga Club, the champion of the Naga political movement throughout the years.

However, it stated that the good image of the Naga Club was tarnished by the May 27 incident adding the unprecedented act has astounded the entire Naga populace. It stated that the Naga Club officials owning responsibility has provoked incredulity from all level of Naga society.

“This act has not only shattered the good image of Naga Club, but has done irreparable damage to the trust we repose on Naga Club,” a joint statement issued by the three organisations stated.

While referring to the Rengma tradition, it stated that when one destroys own property in anger, it was a taboo to re-use it. The organisations were of the view that unless there was an ulterior motive, one would never destroy one’s own property.

Therefore according to Rengma tradition, it stated the people who demolished the Naga Club building have committed a crime.

As the NSF has been safekeeping numerous official and historical documents of the Nagas, it stated that anyone destroying those irreplaceable records that belong to all Nagas was condemnable.

“Further, justifications and clarifications doing the rounds in the public domain reveal that the demolition of the historic building was not in good motive,” it alleged.

The three organisations opined that the foundation of Naga polity laid down by the Naga Club should not be pulled down by few people who do not adhere to the core principles of yesteryears Naga Club.

In order to let goodwill prevail among the Nagas, it further stated that Rengma people would not be a party to the destruction of the building and the properties housed under it.