Kohima, May 31 (EMN): While affirming to shoulder its responsibility at this present crucial Naga political juncture, president of the Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC), Toniho Yepthomi, asserted that “the destiny of the Nagas of Nagaland shall never be allowed to be decided by outsiders so long as the integration of land is not possible.”
Yepthomi stated this during the NTC general council session held in the conference hall of Indian Red Cross Society Nagaland State Branch in Kohima on May 31. Delivering the presidential address, Yepthomi stated that NTC was conceived out of unavoidable situations and circumstances at a time when the Nagas of Nagaland were experiencing a negative trend of self-destruction and confusion all around, an update from NTC stated.
Mentioning that numerous issues are still confronting the people of Nagaland, Yepthomi said, “one such major issue is the vexed Naga political problem which is tracking us for over seventy years now.” Asserting that NTC cannot shy away from its responsibility on this particular protracted Naga political issue, Yepthomi affirmed saying, “the destiny of the Nagas of Nagaland shall never be allowed to be decided by the outsiders so long as the integration of land is not possible”.
“Let us continue to prayerfully support one another until our goal for political settlement based on the principle of culminated dialogue of 31st October 2019 is accomplished, that is, inclusive, honourable and acceptable so as to see that ever lasting peace is restored,” the NTC president appealed.
Other lingering issues confronting the peace loving people of Nagaland are the proposal to implement the uniform civil code, CAA, AFSPA with particular reference to RIIN in the state, he said.
NTC to the extent possible has been representing the concerned authority in all these issues both at the centre and the state, he said.
“The RIIN commission report that has been tabled in the assembly needs greater evaluation otherwise it is better not to have RIIN in the state of Nagaland in its present form,” he added.
“The government standing Notification during the formation of the State of Nagaland with "1-12-1963" as cut-off date and year to be indigenous inhabitant of Nagaland is enough for all purposes,” Yepthomi said.
In regard to enforcement of BEFR Act 1873/ ILP in Nagaland, he stated that the state government has notified enforcement of ILP within the entire jurisdiction of Nagaland including Dimapur of which the date of implementation is still eagerly awaited.
He has credited JCPI, an umbrella organisation of NTC backed by 28 civil society organisations including Nagaland Tribes Hohos for the service rendered thus far on ILP. Further expressing that the NTC is open to all tribal apex hohos, CSOs and to all the citizens in the state, Yepthomi asserted that it would solidly work with all like-minded organisations in order to set the things right to the desire of the Nagas of Nagaland.
The NTC president further appealed and urged upon all the tribal bodies in the state of Nagaland to take its respective decisions on the issues that are in public domain and collectively work to deliver what is honourable and acceptable to the native people of the state.
Tribal hoho leaders from Ao, Lotha, Pochury and Sema and NTC counselor from Angami community K Seyie also spoke on the occasion.
Chaired by NTC executive member Joshua Newmai, the session commenced with prayer by pastor of Pochury Baptist Church Kohima, Dr Z Mosa Tsang. NTC secretary, Atathu Thur, led the gathering in obituary reference, while NTC general secretary, Nribemo Ngullie, presented the secretarial report.
NTC vice president Imsünok Ao tendered the vote of thanks.