Objection to selection process
Controversies surrounding the elections to select the new team of office bearers of Naga Council Dimapur since early part of 2020 continues to rage as rivals hurl allegations at each other.
The matter over formation of the election commission of NCD to conduct election of the president and office bearers had gone to court but after a series of rulings, it was then taken to the high court but later withdrawn as part of a deal to resolve the matter out of court.
In the latest development, five tribal hohos- Pomai Hoho Dimapur (PHD); Mao Hoho Dimapur (MHD); Tangkhul Hoho Dimapur (THD); Western Chakhesang Hoho (WCH) and Rengma Hoho Dimapur (RHD)- have expressed resentment against the process of selecting Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) executives.
In a joint press release, presidents of five hohos- Jotham (PHD), M. John Kape (MHD), Ayo Vashum (THD), Z Kepfelhou Koza (WCH) and Wanthang (RHD)- alleged that NCD did not follow the normal system while selecting new executives. It also claimed that the rival rejected some tribe councillors without any valid reason but due to their selfish motives. They emphasised that the system of selection/nomination/election was clearly enshrined in NCD constitution . The hohos said the system ought to be on the basis of consensus of all councillors nominated by the respective tribal hohos.
They reiterated that this practice had been followed during transition of NCD executives ever since its inception.
The five mentioned that failure to adhere to this constitutionally mandated practice in any transitional exercise, automatically rendered it invalid. Further they said NCD over the years had acquired a tall stature as a leading Naga organisation of unquestionable repute. “Therefore, it is our bounden duty to perpetuate this legacy by rising above petty politics and upholding the constitution of NCD,” they stressed.
The five hohos also refuted the rivals occupying offices under NCD who issued a press release on August 8. In the release they said the rivals claimed that 15 tribes were with them. The five termed it as a “blatant lie” and were appalled by the “unabashed propagation of such untruths”. The five hohos clarified that 14 were absent out of the 19 tribes.
They said all those advocating a smooth constitutional process were not even notified, let alone invited. They said this itself spoke volumes about the “mandate (or the lack of it)” of the newly-inducted NCD office-bearers.
The five hohos also accused ASTD president Meren Longchari of Nukpo village of playing a divisive role by allegedly fooling other tribes. They said Longchari acted as initiator of peace between the two contending parties through signing of an MoU, based on which the court case was withdrawn.
They pointed out that the MoU was signed through a signature campaign by Meren but was not implemented and therefore, rendering it a mockery.
They said, it was unfortunate that the ASTD president representing the most advanced tribe, had misled other tribe members which was “very unfortunate and never expected”. They Longchari to clarify his intention for his initiative in signing the MoU. They Longchari’s actions has tarnished the good image of the Ao tribe.
They appealed to right-thinking Naga citizens to intervene for upholding the proper system of selecting NCD executives and not to endorse the present “unconstitutional and undemocratic” system in the interest of Nagas as a whole.