Minister G Kaito Aye clarifies remarks on hereditary chiefs, reiterates respect for Naga political aspirations.
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DIMAPUR — The office of Roads and Bridges Minister G Kaito Aye on Wednesday issued a rejoinder clarifying that the minister’s recent remarks concerning hereditary village chiefs were made specifically in the context of the Sumi Kukami institution and were “neither intended as a commentary on Naga nationalism nor as an attempt to diminish the historical sacrifices, contributions and aspirations associated with the Naga political movement”.
The clarification comes a day after the GPRN/NSCN (Unification) accused the Nagaland government of taking contradictory positions on the Naga peace process and criticised remarks allegedly made by Kaito Aye during the general conference of the Sumi Kukami Hoho (SKH) in Zunheboto.
In the rejoinder issued on Wednesday, the minister’s office stated that the statement issued by the Ministry of Information and Publicity (MIP) of the GPRN/NSCN had “extended interpretations beyond the specific context in which the observations were made”.
According to the rejoinder, the minister’s observations were confined to the principle that hereditary leaders entrusted with guiding communities and safeguarding collective welfare should maintain impartiality and remain above affiliations that may create “perceptions of divided responsibility or influence”.
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“The concern expressed was specific to preserving the neutrality, dignity and independent character of the Sumi Kukami institution so that it may continue to command the trust and confidence of all sections of society,” the statement read.
The rejoinder further stated that if the remarks had been perceived in a manner inconsistent with their intended purpose and had caused concern or hurt sentiments, “regret is expressed for such unintended misunderstanding”.
It maintained that the observations arose solely from concern that traditional leadership should remain impartial and “above all divisions” in order to serve the collective interests of the people.
The minister’s office also reiterated its “respect for the Naga political struggle, the sacrifices of our forefathers and the aspiration for an honourable and acceptable solution”.
Referring to the ongoing Naga peace process, the rejoinder said the government of Nagaland remained committed to an “early, honourable, acceptable and enduring political solution that upholds the aspirations and rights of the Nagas”.
It further appealed for public discourse to be guided by “mutual respect, clarity and collective responsibility rather than misinterpretation”.