Imphal, June 17: The Naga Hoho, the apex body of all Naga organizations has categorically stated that the ongoing 66 hour general strike called by 83 social and voluntary organizations of different communities under the leadership of AMUCO in protest against the extension of cease fire coverage to the state is against the wishes of the Nagas.

The President of the organization, Mr M Vero in a press statement issued from Kohima today said that the ongoing agitation �disregards the sufferings and struggles for more than 50 years of the Nagas whose ancestral lands are in the Naga inhabited areas of Manipur.

�There are movements among the Meities brethren for the right to sell determination based on the aspiration and history of the Meitei people.

In the same way the Naga people�s movement for securing their right to self determination may be respected by the Meiteis with whom the Nagas have a long history of harmonious co-existence as neighbours.� Mr Vero stated, warning that the Nagas of Manipur are bound to react to the protest against the extension of cease fire in their areas.

However, he said that the Naga Hoho appealed that any hasty steps should be avoided by the Nagas.

But, if the bandh and protest continues escalating the communal tension, the Nagas may have to revert to the United Naga Council�s Resolution No 3 adopted on August 22, 1997 (UNCS) for mass exodus of all Nagas from Imphal valley in order to avoid communal clashes, the releases remarked.

Mr Vero said that the Naga Hoho would welcome any dialogue between the Nagas and the Meitei so that any misunderstanding arising out of unfounded apprehensions can be sorted out peacefully.

He also appealed to the Meitei people, AMUCO and AMSU to join hands with the Naga Hoho in ushering in an era of peaceful co-existence and ensure that nothing comes in the way to sour the age-old bond of fraternity that existed between the Meities and the Nagas.

As a precedent, it is a clear indication of similar approach that would be adopted towards the issues of different nationalities of region.

The release also appeals to both the Meitei and the Nagas to exercise maximum restraints to avoid clashes on communal lines at his critical juncture.

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