Meiteis and Nagas are not enemies : Kho John
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 07 2019: "Meiteis and Nagas are not enemies.

If one thinks a little deeper, they are like the two sides of a coin", asserted United Naga Council (UNC) president Kho John.

Speaking to The Sangai Express exclusively, the UNC president said that the Nagas need the Imphal valley and the Naga inhabited hill areas are essential to the Meiteis to the same degree.

Expressing deep concern over the growing rift between the younger Meitei and Naga generations, Kho John underscored the crucial need to forge and promote cordial relationship between the younger generations of Meitei and Naga people.

Meiteis and Nagas are not enemies : Kho John

He went on to ask as to why one should spew venom to polarise the Meiteis and the Nagas.

Kho John appealed to all the people to ensure that both the Meitei people living in hill areas and Naga people living in the valley do not feel any insecurity or anxiety.

He also appealed to the Nagas living in the valley as well as the Meiteis living in the hills to calm down and carry on their daily tasks without any sense of insecurity.

The last round of talk held between the Government of India and NSCN-IM did not bring a lasting solution to the Naga issue.

Although all the people feel uneasiness on account of the unfolding situation, it would take some more time to bring a final solution to the Naga peace talks which have been going on for the past 22 years, Kho John said.

The October 31 talk did not achieve any final agreement yet it paved the way for both the parties to approach towards the final solution with a mutual understanding, he remarked.

He categorically stated that the final agreement would not be any 'Great Wall of China' between the Meiteis and the Nagas.

Whatever is good and beneficial to the Nagas would also benefit the Meiteis.

Anything which is good and positive should not polarise the communities, said the UNC president.

The flag which was agreed upon between the Government of India and top leaders of NSCN-IM was a flag of the Nagas which was already there.

The agreement on the Naga flag was also conditional.

As the flag has been already there, there is no question of using it extensively at every Naga household and village anew, Kho John said.

Although it has been accepted that certain landmark progress was achieved with regard to the Naga peace talks on October 31, Naga people are in no mood for massive celebration, Kho John remarked.

He then appealed to all womenfolk to ensure that all communities continue to live peacefully and harmoniously.