Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio has asserted that Naga Hoho (NH) and Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) had “lost their mandate” as most tribal hohos and women tribal bodies had withdrawn their affiliation to them and regretted “fragmentation” of Naga society.
Responding to his budget speech debate on the concluding day of budget session in Nagaland Legislative Assembly on Monday, Rio stressed the need for organisations and hohos to unite again to strengthen the Naga political issue.
Asserting that Eastern Naga People’s Organisation (ENPO) was a separate entity and that United Nagaland Council (UNC) was based outside the State, he pointed out that only few tribal organisations were left with Naga Hoho, for which it no longer could use the current nomenclature at the moment.
He said in order to strengthen Naga Hoho, the latter should have the mandate of tribal hohos and participation of ENPO and UNC so that the apex body or collective leadership of the Naga people could be strengthened.
The leader of the House made the above remarks while responding to queries of leader of opposition T.R. Zeliang during the debate as to why the former had not invited NNC (Adino) and NSCN (K) and also did not acknowledge convergence of six NNPGs in his budget speech.
Reiterating that resolution of the Indo-Naga political issue would be the top agenda of his government, Rio appealed everyone, including members in the Parliament, to work together irrespective of party affiliations.
On not inviting NNC (Adino) and NSCN (K), Rio said in a democracy though there might not be a consensus, yet doors were open for everyone. But since both the groups were not willing to join the peace process, the Nagas or Government of India might not wait forever, he added.