Nagaland
Discard pride, says committee tasked with Naga Hoho restoration job
Dimapur, Feb. 15 (EMN): Delegated with a restoration job as daunting as any ever seen in the recent history of the Naga people’s fragile attempt to stitch unity, the ‘search committee’ comprising five members have sought participation of all Nagas to help restore the status of Naga Hoho as the legitimate voice of the Naga collective.
The committee members—including some of the most respected voices from Nagaland: Niketu Iralu, Dr. P Ngully, TN Mannen, Inavi Swu and Kho John—issued a statement on Friday saying their intention was to suggest a new Naga Hoho team after wider consultation with the tribe hohos. “Let us climb down from the mountain of pride to lift up the broken lives of those in the valley of despair,” the committee stated (quite poetically).
“For whatever the reason, today the nationalistic impulses and feeling of oneness and goodwill toward each other which was strong in the past is now waning giving way to tribalism, short-sighted conflict of interest and personal rivalries…unfortunately the Naga Hoho—which represents the pinnacle of the Naga social unity is no exception.
“It has also been affected badly by the virus of disunity, divisiveness and intolerance. The organisation has been facing a series of controversies not allowing (it) to function normally especially the last tenure, which is on extended term. We are drawing apart in the line of individual tribe hohos, regional grouping e.g. (ENPO, CNTC, TPO, UNC, Nagas of Nagaland and outside etc).The factionalism in both overground and underground organisations has been the order of the day which is the biggest obstacle that impede all efforts of the Naga. Most unfortunate,” the committee stated candidly.
In a refreshing admittance, the committee also stated that the ‘hoho organisation’ has also been ‘over politicised.’
“It has not been able to maintain political neutrality for quite a while thereby becoming more and more controversial. The organisation can certainly play a positive role in politics on merit as a collective watchdog. It can provide an issue-based strong support or oppose the government concerning the welfare of the Naga people.
“But should not play a subservient role to any party/government of the day for the sake of survival of the hoho. For all these reasons, the very survival of the Naga Hoho has now become a serious concern of all,’ it asserted.