CCNTHCO to go ahead with bandh; some tribal groups refrain

In a setback for the Core Committee of Nagaland Tribal Hohos and Civil Organisations (CCNTHCO), under whose banner the proposed state-wide bandh was called to protest against the elections, several apex tribal organizations have abstained from participating or imposing the February 1, dawn-to-dusk bandh. The organizations which decided against imposing the bandh include– Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO), Angami Public Organisation (APO) and Lotha Hoho; while according to some reports, a few others have also refrained from calling for participation in the bandh.
In a last ditch effort to remind all organizations about their commitment to participate in the bandh, CCNTHCO Wednesday reaffirmed that they would go ahead with the planned Nagaland bandh on February 1, 2018 regardless of some organizations backing out. Ao Senden has decided to impose bandh in Mokokchung district from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on February 1.
CCNTHCO through its convenor, Theja Therieh, and secretary, Joel Naga, said that despite all the apex tribal hohos and mass-based organizations agreeing to call for Nagaland bandh, confusion was spreading that the bandh may not be observed uniformly.
CCNTHCO reminded that the proposed bandh was a unanimous decision of all organizations who attended the meeting and therefore, it will go ahead as resolved.
The two also explained that the very purpose of the bandh was in pursuance of the resolutions adopted collectively by tribal hohos, mass-based organizations and all political parties that the Nagas prefer to have a solution first rather than election now. “This bandh is therefore placed as litmus test as to whether one upholds what one has promised or one backtracks,” CCNTHCO said, adding that it has just the option to appeal to all concerned to prove one’s worth in action.
CCNTHCO said in case any sections within the Naga community wanted to negate the popular opinion and refused to co-operate with the unanimous decision, then it has no power to rope in those sections. It, however, questioned that if one was not for political negotiations and a solution, what better option that section (that opposes the bandh) had in store for the Nagas?
CCNTHCO informed that all educational institutions would remain closed, but the army & paramilitary, police, media people, medical services, and district administration were exempted from the bandh.
ENPO: Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization (ENPO) has decided to not impose the bandh in Eastern Nagaland areas. The decision was taken at a meeting held at IMC hall in Dimapur on Wednesday.
ENPO media cell told Nagaland Post that the decision to abstain from the proposed bandh did not mean that it did not support the demand for solution. However, ENPO stated that it did not want to harass the public unnecessarily by imposing the bandh.
APO: Angami Public Organisation (APO) and all its frontal organisations have reiterated their “natural support established on January 25, 2018 on the ongoing dialogue between Government of India and the Naga political groups.”
In a press release, APO president, Dr. Kepelhousie Terhüja and general secretary, Neisakholie Ziephru, said that APO has decided to not persuade nor dissuade any individual from filing nominations and would not boycott the forthcoming general election 2018.
As such, APO said no bandh would be imposed within the Angami inhabited areas on February 1, 2018. In this regard, APO has directed the public not to participate in the bandh. “This clarion call is made for and in the larger interest of the Nagas in quest for peoplehood and nationhood which we are aware cannot be taken lightly,” APO stated.
LH: Lotha Hoho (LH) at its joint meeting held Wednesday has decided to not participate in the total bandh called by the CCNTHCO. Lotha Hoho chairman, Mhao Lotha told Nagaland Post that there were many reasons why they decided to not take part in the bandh. He, however, said that the house did not deliberate on the “reasons”. When asked to comment on the hoho’s stand on the electioneering process, LH chairman said “it depends on the political parties”, adding that the hoho has no comment on this.