Eight apex tribal bodies of Nagaland will be holding another round of meeting on February 2 at Angami Public Organisation (APO) Hall, Kohima to deliberate on the formation of the proposed “unified tribal apex body of Nagaland”.
While issuing the meeting notice to all apex tribe hohos in Nagaland, sessional chairman Razouvotuo Chatsu maintained that the formation of a unified apex body had become a pressing need and, therefore, requested all the tribal presidents to attend the meeting with the respective general secretaries and three other representatives/executive members so as to have a thorough discussion.
Chatsu also requested Nagaland Tribes Council and the presidents of the tribal bodies under Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO)– Chang Khulei Setshang, Khiamniungan Tribal Council, Konyak Union, Phom Peoples’ Council, United Sangtam Likhum Pumji, Tikhir Tribal Council and Yimkhiung Tribal Council, to attend the meeting.
It may be recalled that in January last year, the consultative meeting of the eight apex tribal hohos of Nagaland– Angami Public Organization, Ao Senden, Chakhesang People’s Organization, Lotha Hoho, Pochury Hoho, Rengma Hoho, Sumi Hoho and Nagaland Zeliang People’s Organization, resolved to form a common apex body for Nagas of Nagaland at the earliest.
This was among the four-point resolution adopted at the consultative meeting of the tribal hohos held at APO conference hall Kohima. It also noted that any organization claiming to represent and stand for the interest of the Nagas, should be routed and mandated through the tribal apex bodies.
It may also be recalled that a similar exercise was initiated by former minister and present advisor to CM, Dr Chumben in November 2023.
After the effort attracted some criticism, Dr Chumben clarified that as one of the advisors to CM, he had propped the issue to the chief minister. In response, he said the CM stated: “We Nagas are diverse in nature and there is always absolute need for Unity, that is why we have chosen “Unity” as our State motto. However, as a Govt. we cannot form civil societies, it is upto them. But we should continue to encourage them to come together in Unity”.
As per the draft proposal, the apex tribal body of the tribes in Nagaland will have three levels- tier I, II and III. Tier-I (tribal level) includes all the individual apex tribal hohos of Nagaland, Tier-II (regional level) includes the conglomeration of respective tribal bodies under the banner of Tenyimi Union Nagaland (TUN), Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) and Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization (ENPO). As per the proposal, Tier-III will be the state level apex body to have representatives from all tribes of Nagaland.