Stormy days ahead in Nagaland
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Dimapur, October 20 2013: Nagaland will witness clashes of interest between the Naga Hoho and the Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) in the days to come.

The Naga Hoho which had enjoyed the 'apex pan-Naga body' status a decade ago is now facing numerous hurdles in its activities.

First, the Eastern Naga Peoples Organisation (ENPO) and now the NTC.

Early this month, leader of NTC Thepfulhouvi Solo had said that the Naga Hoho, Naga Mothers' Association (NMA), Naga Students' Federation (NSF) and NPMHR could not protect the interest of Naga people.

Reacting to this, the Naga Hoho, NMA, NSF and NPMHR said they will not accept total condemnation of existing organisations.These bodies sarcastically expressed hope that Solo would be able to protect the rights and interests of the Naga people in totality.

It is worthwhile to mention here that the Naga Hoho is supposedly the pan-Naga civil body whereas the NTC is an organisation formed only by the original tribes of Nagaland.

The Naga Hoho is against the formation of the NTC saying it is 'premature and not appropriate' while the latter group said it is 'over due' now to form such a council.

NTC is a body floated by only Naga tribes based in Nagaland a few months ago.

Before its constitution was fully done, the NTC had said it "resolutely stands that Rongmei is not a tribe in Nagaland and demands for abrogation of Nagaland Government Cabinet decision dated 23.07.2012 giving Rongmei as recognized tribe in Nagaland" .

On June 22, the 'interim committee' of NTC had approve its drafted constitution.

This is a 'common platform' for all the Naga tribes of Nagaland, said the NTC leaders.

Leaders from 15 Naga tribes in Nagaland are behind this NTC.

Mention may be made here that the government of Nagaland was on the process to recognise Mao tribe also, as one of the tribes of Nagaland but after numerous criticisms, the state government of Nagaland had clarified on May 2 that it had not made any decision to recognise the Mao tribe as one of the recognised tribes of Nagaland.

The Nagaland Tribes Council has also taken a firm stance that it does not recognize any tribe from outside Nagaland given recognition by any authority.

"The 'interim committee' of NTC appealed to all tribal organisations of Nagaland and all like-minded people to extend good will and participate in the larger interest of the people" .

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