The “Rejoinder to 4th Naga Hoho Federal Assembly Resolution” written by Mr KenyusengTep, Acting Speaker and Mr KeviletuoKiewhuo, Advisor of Naga Hoho which was capitulated in local dailies on 02-12-2018 and another statement “NH:Tribal bodies express concern” appeared on 06-12-2018 has drawn the attention of the Naga Hoho which needs clarification for the consumption of Naga people though it is scratchy to expose the immaturity and disunity among the Naga Hoho officials time and again.
1. It is baffling as to why Mr KeviletuoKiewhuo is openly voicing out only when the present NH tenure is over. It is with great regret the NH is compelled to answer Mr Keviletuo’s misleading statement about the NH where he himself is an Advisor. During our past tenure, all his effort was to influence and divide the NH executive particularly during the tussle among the Nagaland state political parties since 2014. However, the NH, being a non political apex body of the Naga people is obligated to maintain its neutrality towards all political party/ies and states. As such NH could not fulfil any personal or state political agenda of a person or group. Despite all differences, the NH executive with the best intention met Mr Keviletuo at his residence on 25th June, 2018 and requested him to resolve all differences and work for the smooth functioning of the Naga Hoho for larger interest of the Nagas. Unfortunately the advisor instead of coming forward for any discussions for thrashing out the differences had only tried to divide the NH executive and even challenging the activities of the NH through different media.
2. The Naga Hoho YEZABO (Constitution) is clearly written and cannot be easily distorted for personal convenience and thus the interpretation of Acting Speaker and Advisor is completely against anyone’s perception of the Yezhabo. The NH Executive members have time and again asked the Acting speaker to convene the Federal Assembly (FA) where all the important issues/problems could be deliberated. However, the Acting Speaker ignored the directive of the Executive Council to summon the FA on several occasions, to cite instances on 3rd November, 2017 and another on 31st July, 2018. After much attempt, the NH Presidential meeting was called on 26th November as extra ordinary measures which was converted to Federal Assembly with unanimous decision of Federating units. This was done after thorough deliberations among the federating units as we felt that the Acting speaker would only avoid calling Federal Assembly for reason best known to him.
3. Regarding the acceptance of removal of General Secretary and Finance Secretary, it was done lamentably under compulsion since they were removed from the Executive of Naga Hoho by their parent tribe Hohos. On the contrary, excommunication and directive has been served to the President and Vice President by the respective Tribe Hohos but it was settled amicably and never removed by the parent bodies from Naga Hoho.
4. It is unfortunate that Mr KenyusengTep, present Acting speaker while not following the directive of the NH executive Council but issuing statements and notifications of his own without any consultations with the Executive Council such as the recent statement on 24th November, 2018 under the caption “Naga Hoho Federal Assembly to exist till new team is elected” which was issued as a Speaker of NH. Surprisingly the same person using the name of RengmaHoho along with few other tribes issued a statement on 6th Dec, 2018 only to malign and weaken the NH. Such double dealings by the Hoho leaders bring only confusion and misunderstanding amongst general masses.
5. There is no state border recognized by the Nagas and Naga Hoho consider every region and tribes as equal when it comes to affiliation within Naga Hoho and every Federating units have equal rights as per the Yehzabo. However, it is depressing to hear from such prominent tribe Hoho leaders that Naga Hoho is “lopsided and helplessly drifting southward with imaginative domain” which is harmful towards achieving our Motto-Unity & Fraternity. We only know that the Naga Hoho is still having the command of fifteen federating tribe Hohos out of twenty two tribes. The decision taken by the Federal Assembly on 26th November, 2018 represented by 2/3 majority of the federating units cannot be termed as null and void.
6. The NH acknowledge the concern expressed by five tribal bodies - Angami Public Organization, Chakhesang Public Organization, PochuryHoho, RengmaHoho and controversial signatories of Zeliang Peoples’ Organization over the state of affairs and weakening position of Naga Hoho. However, the fact remains that the ZPO (Visa Meru& Joshua Newmai) were never a part of Naga Hoho as evidently clarified by ZeliangrongBaudi (the apex body of the Zeliangrong people) the NH welcome any Nagas to express their concern and positive criticism but a non member who had not contributed their service for NH has no moral authority in Naga Hoho affairs.
7. The position of President and Vice President in Naga Hoho was thoroughly deliberated in different stages including the Federal Assembly on 28th September, 2016. It was also debated in the Presidential Council meeting along with Goodwill Mission to three dissociated tribes (AoSenden, SumiHoho, LothaHoho) on 21st November, 2017 wherein, APO,CPO, RengmaHoho, PochuryHoho were present. However, it was resolved not to allow the President to demit office on the ground that the President was elected by the Naga people to serve the interest of the Naga people and not for particular tribes.
8. In 2005, Late HorangseSangtam has been elected as the Naga Hoho President with the purpose to harp unity among the Nagas though the United SangtamLikhumBhumji was not affiliated to Naga Hoho and this has been the objectives and practice of Naga Hoho since its inception.
9. Looking back at the history of the NH, the leaders of the NH has been selflessly serving the organization with dedication and commitment to serve the Naga people. Even in the worst of time, it is through this platform along with other Civil Society organizations could boldly voice out the belief, the aspirations and most importantly the unity of the Naga people as one. Today, Nagas are experiencing entire different scenario with the onset of Ceasefire which also leaves with mushrooming of state centric voices and organizations. But our struggle is not yet over and most crucial time is yet to be experienced and yet we are trying to destroy NH for numerous vested interests. The NH Executive would like to thank all member tribes and other well wishers for being supportive throughout our tenure and most importantly for standing with us for the unity of the Naga people and the most needed Naga political process which is yet to arrive at logical conclusion. The tenure of the present incumbent have successfully come to an end on 26th Nov. 2018, and we as care taker will be most willingly relinquish the NH office as and when new team is set up. We are fully aware of the importance of Naga Hoho being the only platform where every Naga individual and tribes can come together and talk about unity and most importantly our future Naga political settlement. We earnestly beseech upon every sensible Nagas and tribe leaders to come together once again and cooperate with the Search Committee for electing the new set of Officials and take over the mantle by strengthening the Naga Hoho with vigour and make it an apex body free from personal affiliations and isms.
