Close on the heels of the ruling NDPP which slammed its Lok Sabha member Tokheho Yepthomi over his expressed opinion for removal of Article 371A since people were using it from giving lands for development; Lotha Hoho and its frontal organisations expressed resentment against the MP for purportedly speaking for removal of Article 371(A) in his speech at a function at Chümoukedima.
Lotha Hoho chairman Er. Mhondamo Ovung and general secretary Tsupon Murry; Lotha Students’ Union president Lirhonthung Kithan; Lotha Eloe Hoho president Thungbeni Ngullie; Lotha Youth Hoho president Limhathung Yanthan and Wokha Town Colonies Union chairman Er. Sanchio Kithan maintained that human existence was much more than “the so-called modern development” on the surface.
The signatories asserted that cultural and traditional identities, ancestral heritage, territorial rights, social rights, human rights, religious rights, the unique existence and many more such rights were inalienable.
While stressing that the leaders should know that much more than modern-day developments, the signatories pointed out that the Nagas so far have lived with distinct culture, tradition and many more rights under Article 371(A).
Therefore, they cautioned, that if Article 371(A)was removed, Naga society would be flooded with alien people, alien culture, alien way of living, alien religion, etc, and become like the aboriginal people of Tripura who were reduced as minorities in their own land; similar to the Red Indians and Incas of the Americas, the Maoris of New Zealand and the 85 aboriginal tribes of Australia, all who lost their heritage and were now an oppressed minority.
They also asked, if Article 371(A)was removed, would Naga history not record for all time to come, that the Naga protective constitutional Article had been removed during the chief ministership of Neiphiu Rio and during the tenure of Tokheho Yepthomi?
The signatories drew attention on Bhutan, supposedly a small under undeveloped mountainous country with rural economy and technologically backward. They said Bhutanese live with pride with their distinct identity in their naturally eco-friendly land and this has led so-called developed countries vying to visit Bhutan and how they loved to be like the Bhutanese people who have earned their nation the enviable name as ‘Kingdom of Happiness’.
The organizations stated that by asking leaders to think of the long-term implications without Article 371(A), “how stupid and treacherous it would be to do away with the constitutional provision.”
Further, the signatories reminded the leaders that people would rather choose to remain under Article 371A although underdeveloped, but happy like Bhutan, but never like developed Europe where human values had vanished and life was a monotony and did not seem interesting to live.