EMN
DIMAPUR, JUNE 12
The Naga Hoho on Friday met and appealed Prime Minister Modi to accord recognition to the Naga identity as a distinct race of one people and to the aspiration of the Nagas to be “be brought under a single administrative governance” as the final political settlement.
This appeal, among others, was contained in a Naga Hoho memorandum to Modi, which was submitted on Friday in New Delhi. According to a Naga Hoho press release, the PM had stated that the BJP government was “taking the ongoing peace process seriously to bring permanent settlement which will be honorable and acceptable to both India and Nagas.”
In the memorandum, the Naga Hoho reminded Modi that the “general consensus” was that “it is a right opportune moment for arriving at the honorable settlement.” It stated that Modi’s emergence to power in Delhi has “enhanced” the expectation among Nagas for an “amicable and honorable solution to our chronic Naga political issue.”
The Naga Hoho also expressed its displeasure over the ceasefire abrogation with the NSCN-K which has resulted in “vitiating the generally peaceful atmosphere within Nagaland and Naga inhabitant area.”
Full text of memorandum
Shri. Narendra Modi
Hon’ble Prime Minister
New Delhi-110001
Most respectfully we place this submission for you kind consideration.
Hon’ble Sir,
Our Highest compliments to you and to the BJP lead NDA Government.
We the Naga Hoho, the Apex body of the Naga tribes would like the privilege to affirm our faith in your dynamic leadership to lead India to the path of all round progress and development at the same time we further repose our confident in you for bringing about an Honorable and amicable solution to our chronic Naga almost a century old Political issue during your stewardship as the Prime Minister of India. That Sir,
a) The Apex Naga Body, consider the coming of the BJP majority Government in the centre with the courageous and far sighted leadership in you has enhanced our expectation of bringing about an amicable and Honorable solution to our chronic Naga Political issue is the top most concern of all the Nagas as a whole.
b) The cease fire agreement with the NSCN (IM) in 1997 and likewise with the other factions had created peaceful atmosphere to enable the negotiation for a solution to the problem. Unfortunately, in spite of initial high expectation, due to inordinate delay is the ritual of negotiation during the last seventeen year without any tangible outcome, the Nagas are getting disillusion with the process. But with the coming of a new Government under your dynamic leadership, once again the hope and expectation for finding a concrete permanent solution has been renewed.
c) It is a general consensus opinion that it is a right opportune moment for arriving at the honorable settlement which would be a historic moment for the nation and the Naga in Particular.
d) However we as the representative of the Apex Naga tribe organization repose our appeal to your wisdom and just understanding of the Naga aspiration of recognizing our Naga identity as a distinct race as “one people” to be brought under a single administrative Governance as the fulfillment of the final political settlement that would give the ultimate satisfaction to the Naga people.
e) We would further like to record our disapproval at the recent Cease fire abrogation with the NSCN (K) resulting into vitiating the generally peaceful atmosphere within Nagaland and Naga inhabitant area. We support any positive action that may initiate to restore the peaceful atmosphere in the State and the region.
f) Another area of our concern is to bring to your attention that Nagaland State was formed by an agreement between the Government of India and the Naga people convention in 1960. Clause eleven of the agreement ensures special financial assistance to the State Government by the Central Government for meeting the cost of running the State administration. Therefore we request your kindness in keeping alive the special status of the Nagaland State, your assurance in this respect will clear the uncertainty and fears of the public
Yours Sincerely
(MUTSIKHOYO YHOBU) (P. CHUBA OZUKUM)
General Secretary President
