8 tribal hohos resolve to form common apex body

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, on Tuesday 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 eight tribal hohos held at APO conference hall Kohima. The resolution was jointly signed by sessional chairman Vezuhu Keyho (Chakhesang Public Organisation president) and sessional secretary Dr Vihuto Assumi (Sumi Hoho general secretary).
The house also demanded that all Naga Political Groups (NPGs), both overground and underground, “come together” for an amicable political solution at the earliest.
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. The hohos also appealed to all Churches in Nagaland and beyond to hold prayer on January 22 (Sunday) for the unification and solution of the protracted Naga political issue.
Talking to Nagaland Post after the meeting, sessional secretary of the consultative meeting, Dr. Vihuto Asumi said that the hohos, knowing very well the Government of India will not give two separate solutions to the Nagas, urged the negotiating groups to come out with a common charter of demand. Dr. Asumi lamented that the Centre was well aware that the Nagas society was fragmented, which was why inking of the final solution has been delayed. It was for this reason, the hohos resolved to demand to all Naga political groups, both overground and underground, to unite for an amicable solution at the earliest.
Taking note of the chorus of demands for early solution by various sections of the society, Dr. Asumi said the tribal hohos will also mount pressure on the Centre and the negotiating groups to settle the Naga political issue at the earliest.
He said that despite submission of numerous representations and appeals made by different organizations to the negotiating groups, solution remained elusive, which was why Nagas have expressed their displeasure to the negotiating parties and the Centre.
As the Working Committee of the NNPGs had already placed the their “Status Paper” in the public domain, Dr Asumi said the tribal hoho leaders stressed on the need for the NSCN (I-M) to also bring out its competencies to the public domain.
He said the members present at the meeting urged upon the NSCN (I-M) and Government of India to be transparent and let the Nagas know what has been discussed. He said Nagas should not be kept in the dark on the negotiations that have been going on for the last 26 years, stating that “Every section of the Naga people was losing hope”.
Sessional chairman Vezuhu Keyho told this correspondent that the eight apex tribal hohos, after a threadbare discussion, decided to form a common apex body at the earliest and finalize the nomenclature.
He said the house decided to invite the Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) and proposed to reorganize NTC.