Lotha Youth Hoho (LYH) organised a public rally at Wokha police point on Monday to protest the physical assault and alleged attempted murder of Yanphan Baptist Church (YBC) pastor Rhanlamo Kikon on August 24, 2024 by a member of NSCN (Khango) group identified as one Akhekevi, who was subsequently terminated from the “active National service of the Naga Army” by the group.
Hundreds of participants in traditional attire joined the rally to express their resentment against the incident. Speaking at the protest rally, LYH president Limathung N Yanthan said that the rally was organised to express the Lotha community’s outrage over the incident.
He said that the Lothas do not support illegal taxation, extortion or the assault of innocent people in the name of Naga national movement regardless of faction. LYH president declared that the Lotha community would stop extending cooperation to any faction involved in such activities.
The youth body president also urged the heads of departments in Wokha district to remain in their places of posting and perform their duties with sincerity.
He warned that any HoD found skipping work without official leave would face consequences, saying the civil society organizations (CSOs) would take their own course of action. Also, addressing the rally, Lotha Hoho general secretary Tsupon Murry said that the rally was a protective measure against such incidents in the future.
He slammed the Naga national groups for practicing “selfish gains” over the community’s interests. Kohima Lotha Hoho chairman KN Mhonthung Lotha called for unity among the various factions urging them to come under one umbrella to achieve the Naga community’s aspirations.
Questioning the integrity and patriotism of the leaders of various faction, he said that the Naga political movement has become a breeding ground for evil. KLH chairman also highlighted the unemployment issue faced by the younger generation, who, were intimidated by extortion and illegal taxation.
Chumukedima Lotha Hoho chairman, Nchumthung Ngullie extended support on behalf of the hoho and called for adopting strong resolutions to ensure that all Nagas were aware of the community’s stance. He stressed that the accused should not be granted bail without the consent of the Lotha Hoho.
Other leaders who spoke at the rally included Ralan Area Lotha Hoho chairman CS Ovung, Lotha Students Union president Lirhonthung E Kithan, Lotha Eloe Hoho president Thungbeni Ngullie, All Commercial Vehicle Association Wokha president Renbi Ngullie, Wokha District GB’s Association representative Santsuthing Kikon, Wokha District Chamber of Commerce & Industry president Vungathung Murry, Wokha District Village Council Chairman Association president Vandan Erui Lotha and Wokha Town Colony Council Union president N Sanchio. All the speakers voiced their condemnation against such acts. The rally was also attended by students and general public.
All business establishments remained closed from 9:30 am till the culmination of the rally.
The rally concluded with the adoption of four-point resolution, which was submitted to the governor of Nagaland through the deputy commissioner (DC) Wokha.
The resolution signed by LYG president Limhathung N Yanthan and general secretary Oreno Ngullie demanded that the ceasefire agreement be implemented in letter and in spirit.
LYH also demanded that the ceasefire monitoring group/ceasefire supervisory board be “pulled up from its slumber” and activate its machineries to curb “these ailments” caused by the Naga political groups.
Further, the youth body demanded that the “mushrooming of various factions within the Naga national workers be nipped at the threshold” and all those not in the ambit of ceasefire should be dealt as per the law of the land. Meanwhile, LYH demanded that the accused Akhekevi be booked within the provision of National Security Act 1980.