Ten days extension to Mao Council to withdraw memorandum
Source: The Sangai Express / Courtesy Morung Express

Kohima, October 18 2015: The Naga Hoho has granted an extension of 10 days to the Mao Council to withdraw their Memorandum to the Government of Manipur.

Failure to do so will keep the Mao Council in suspension from the Hoho, as decided earlier.

This was one among six resolutions adopted during the second Federal Assembly of the Naga Hoho 2013-18 held at Hotel de Oriental Grand, Conference Hall in Kohima on October 16.It was attended by 19 of the Hoho's 22 federating units and one sub-ordinate unit.

A report from the Federal Assembly Speaker, Medoselhou Keretsu, and Secretary, K.Elu Ndang, noted that the first resolution of the Assembly had endorsed, in principle, the decision of the Executive Council on suspension of Mao Council from Naga Hoho.

"However, on the request of the Tenyemie Peoples' Organisation (TPO) and some members, the Federal Assembly extends another 10 (ten) days wef.

16th October 2015 for TPO to let the Mao Council withdraw the Memorandum which was served to the Govt of Manipur," the Resolution noted.

The Resolution further stated that on expiry of 10 days, and in the event of failure on the part of Mao Council to withdraw the Memorandum, the Suspension Order promulgated by the Executive council stands as Federal Assembly Resolution.

The Naga Hoho Federal Assembly also resolved to initiate various platforms to gather public opinions towards finding honourable and acceptable political settlement.

The Federal Assembly thoroughly deliberated on the Indo-Naga Political solution.

While welcoming the Framework Agreement signed on August 3, the house resolved that the Peace Process and the negotiations have to be strengthened in order to "realise our goals and aspirations." It resolved for the Naga Hoho to "pursue and insist upon the GoI and Naga Political negotiators to expedite the process towards finding early Political solution" .

Taking a strong position that "Naga Sovereignty and Integration is non-negotiable" and the "basic foundation of Naga's struggle for self determination," the Naga Hoho decided to insist that "the door should be kept open for further negotiations in future in the event of failure to accommodate the two basic rights in the ensuing Indo-Naga political negotiations." The resolution reiterated that all Tribe Hohos shall work within their community to make their own people understand the peace process.

In this endeavour, the Naga Hoho and the Committee on Naga Political Affairs (CONPA) shall be available to the Tribe Hohos when needed.

The Federal Assembly resolved to uphold the Nagaland Assembly resolution on Nagaland Petroleum and Natural Gas (NPNG) and the Rules and Regulations framed by the Government of Nagaland.

The house noted that the Executive Council has been endorsed to take up the protection of the "rights of the Nagas which are clearly enshrined under Article 371(A) of Indian Constitution" .

The house seriously viewed the PIL filed by the Lotha Hoho in the High Court and the subsequent interim order.

In this regard, the House "unanimously agreed that every Tribe Hoho shall make a fervent appeal to the Lotha hoho to withdraw the PIL filed in the greater interest of the Nagas" .

The Federal Assembly, in responding to questions raised by the Ao Senden, clarified that being a mass based organisation, the membership to, participation at and leadership of, the Executive Council (proceedings) of the Naga Hoho is open to women and men alike, as enshrined in its constitution.

The Federal Assembly has strongly condemned statements made by Nagaland-based citizens against the Naga Hoho.

Stating that terms like 'Naga Haha' "demean the legitimate existence of Naga Hoho as apex socio-political institution," the house resolved to "initiate against divisive forces that are hatching strategies to dislodge the Naga Hoho and its constituent units" .

The Federal Assembly endorsed the Executive Council to pursue the Imkongmeren Memorial Cemetery at Longkhum Village, Mokokchung, and complete the unfinished work at the earliest.

Further, all the Federating units (Tribe Hohos) shall also contribute financially towards this project.

Comment