Naga Hoho appeals BJP chief for early Naga political resolution

EMN Kohima, April 17 Naga Hoho today expressed hope that BJP government at the Centre will do ‘everything’ to bring about peace and development in the State through honorable and acceptable political settlement of vexed Indo-Naga political problem. A memorandum submitted to visiting BJP national president Amit Shah at Chumukedima this evening signed by Naga Hoho president, Chuba Ozukum and general secretary, Mutsikhoyo Yhobu extended him heartiest welcome on behalf of the Naga people. As an organization committed to the welfare of the Naga people, Naga Hoho dwelling on the Indo-Naga political issue through the memo, said “the Naga people have suffered for long for what we believe to be our right to self-determination as a people”. The struggle has turned out to be costly both for India and for Naga people in terms of loss of lives and properties and also the values cherished by modern democratic societies around the world, they said, adding that the nature of Indo-Naga conflict has been violent and destructive for the most part which is ‘unbecoming of any modern democratic state or society.’ Maintaining that since the aspiration of the people in the country cannot be either wished away as insignificant or violently suppressed by any responsible government, especially those questions related to fundamental values of human existence and identity of the people, the Hoho requested Amit Shah to address the political issue in the greater interests of India and Naga people. Stating that the world is moving at great pace towards development and progress, Naga Hoho said, “We (Nagas) as a people do not want to be left behind for reasons of political errors”. “We believe that you, as a capable and visionary political leader, have what it takes to make India a great nation and one that can also contribute towards world peace and economy,” Naga Hoho maintained. Naga Hoho expressed the hope that the “Naga aspiration will not be stereotyped as a national problem but that you will recognize our rights and identity as a people and do everything by your party as a ruling government to bring about peace and development through honorable and acceptable political settlement”. The Hoho also highlighted about the religious discrimination on Christian community in particular and minority community in general in the country. They said that though India as a “secular nation” takes pride in saying “Unity in Diversity” as a popular slogan of the country, but in the recent past Christian community has been witnessing communal violence on numerous occasions. “This is quite alarming and the minority lot has begun to doubt and question the system and governance,” they said. The manner in which violence of all sorts have been perpetrated against the minorities have been severely questioned the dignity, identity and belief of the Christians and the minority community, they pointed. Remarking that such sparks of violence should not be seen as stray and inaccessible incidents but rather be seen as social markers of intolerance and discrimination which have no place in any civilized society today, the Naga Hoho appealed that the BJP which is ruling the nation to seriously look into the grievances and problems faced by the Christian community in particular and the minority community in general and initiate all possible measures to bring peace and harmony to all the communities to glorify the true meaning and spirit of a secular nation.