[caption id="attachment_161085" align="alignnone" width="550"]
School children seen during the public rally at Kohima on Jan. 23.[/caption]
Kohima Bureau
Kohima, Jan. 23 (EMN): Terming the declaration of election in the state as a ‘design to hijack the solution’ to Indo-Naga political dialogue, the Naga Student Federation (NSF) has asserted that it would not remain a ‘mute spectator to this sort of imposition’.
This statement was made by the president of NSF, Kesosul Christopher Ltu at a public rally calling for “solution and not election” at Solidarity Park in Kohima on Jan. 23. The rally was an initiative of the NSF.
“The indo-Naga peace process vis-a-vis the Naga political dialogue is an issue which is going to determine our future and if you and I do not have a say on this issue, who else will? It is our future,” he said in his address.
On allegations that the NSF was organising the rally at ‘influence from elsewhere’, he maintained that it ‘will not function under pressure or duress from any organisation’.
Stating that ‘many adversaries’ would attempt to ‘sabotage our purpose of coming together at a crucial juncture like this’, Ltu asserted: “This is how we stand on our ground firm and determine for our Naga aspiration and desire for solution to the long protracted Indo-Naga political issue”.
He maintained that the ‘concerted efforts of all us are at the verge of being ruined’ by the announcement to conduct elections. “Today, our generation is being called again at this juncture of time which is being tested to see our unity and determination and it is my firm conviction that many of us are conveying our strong message of aspiration that Naga issue, our tomorrow, our future is still the utmost priority as a Naga and as a people who will stand against all odds to achieve whatever is rightfully ours”.
Also reaffirming that Nagas want permanent peace, Ltu called out that Nagas should be prepared to face ‘come what may’ for our aspiration and desire for solution to the Naga issue.
“Today, as we gather here to convey our message for solution, it is an opportunity in disguise to re-strengthen the very purpose of our Naga unity and to reaffirm our Naga aspiration and desire. Yes to solution and no to election”.
‘Refrain from filing nominations and contesting’
The Naga Mothers Association (NMA) has appealed to all political parties and intending candidates to refrain from contesting the elections and not file their nominations to demonstrate that Nagas are serious and want solution and not election.
A representative of the NMA, Lochumbeni Humtsoe asserted ‘Naga public want solution and not election. It is imperative for all Nagas to resolve the Naga issue, which is more important election’.
Questioning the sincerity and commitment of the government of India and the Naga politicians, Humtsoe said that every Naga men and women want peace and solution, and that the Naga public was against the holding of elections in Nagaland.
According to the general secretary of Naga Hoho, Mutsikhoyo Yhobu, the government of India has no respect and regard to the aspiration of Nagas – referring to announcement of elections in Nagaland.
He pointed out that when the ‘NNPGs and the Naga people’ have come on board in response to the call of the government of India, the latter has announced elections. Reiterating that it won’t allow the government of India to treat Nagas ‘with this kind of attitude’, he stressed on the need to ‘strengthen our movement for our better tomorrow’.
