Naga Hoho (NH) has refuted the allegations levelled against it by acting speaker Kenyuseng Tep and adviser Keviletuo Kiewho, besides the concern expressed by some tribal bodies. In a clarification issued by its media cell, NH remarked that it was baffling as to why Kiewhuo was openly voicing out only when the present NH tenure was over.
On the contrary, the organisation accused him of making all efforts to influence and divide the executive, especially during the turmoil among political parties in the State since 2014.
However, being a non political body of Naga people and being obligated to maintain neutrality towards all political parties, NH clarified that it could not fulfil any personal or political agenda of a person or group. Nonetheless, despite all differences, the executive met Keviletuo at his residence on June 25, 2018 with the best intention and urged him to resolve all differences and work for the smooth functioning of Naga Hoho in the larger interest of the Nagas.
Unfortunately, instead of coming forward for any discussions for thrashing out the differences, the organisation alleged that the adviser only tried to divide the executive and even challenged the activities of NH through the media.
Pointing out that Yezabo (constitution) was clearly written and that it could not be easily distorted for personal convenience, Naga Hoho asserted that the interpretation of the acting speaker and adviser was completely against anyone’s understanding of the Yezhabo.
It claimed that the executive members had time and again asked the acting speaker to convene federal assembly (FA) where all important issues or problems could be deliberated. However, it alleged that Tep ignored the directive of the executive council to summon it on several occasions.
Hence, after all the efforts, NH presidential meeting was convened on November 26 as an extraordinary measure, which was converted to FA with unanimous decision of federating units. This was done after thorough deliberations among the federating units as it was felt that the acting speaker would only avoid calling the assembly for reasons best known to him, the hoho explained.
Regarding the acceptance of removal of general secretary and finance secretary, the hoho explained it was done “lamentably under compulsion” as they were removed from the executive by their parent tribe hohos.
Similarly, “excommunication and directive” were served to the president and vice-president by the respective tribe hohos, but it was settled amicably and never removed by the parent bodies from Naga Hoho, it was pointed out.
The organisation said it was unfortunate that Tep, while not following the directive of the executive council, was issuing statements and notifications on his own without any consultation with the council. Surprisingly, he issued a statement on December 6 by using the name of Rengma Hoho (RH) and few other tribes only to malign and weaken NH. Such “double dealings” by hoho leaders brought only confusion and misunderstanding among general masses, it added.
Reiterating that it did not recognise State borders and considered every region and tribe as equal when it came to affiliation, and that every federating unit had equal right as per the Yehzabo, NH said it was depressing to hear from prominent tribe hoho leaders that the apex body was “lopsided and helplessly drifting southward with imaginative domain”. The apex body asserted that it was still having the command of 15 federating tribe hohos out of 22 tribes, adding that the decision taken by the FA on November 26 representing two-thirds majority of the federating units could not be termed as null and void.
While acknowledging the concern expressed by five tribal bodies – Angami Public Organisation (APO), Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO), Pochury Hoho (PH), RH and controversial signatories of Zeliang People’s Organisation (ZPO) – over the state of affairs and weakening of Naga Hoho, the organisation clarified that ZPO (Visa Meru & Joshua Newmai) were never a part of Naga Hoho as clarified by Zeliangrong Baudi, the apex body of Zeliangrong people.
NH said it welcomed expression of concern and positive criticism, but asserted that a non-member who had not contributed his services had no moral authority in its affairs.
The organisation said the posts of president and vice-president were thoroughly deliberated in different stages, including in the FA of September 28, 2016. It was also debated in the presidential council meeting along with goodwill mission to three dissociated tribes – Ao Senden, Sumi Hoho and Lotha Hoho – on November 21, 2017 wherein APO, CPO, RH and PH representatives were present. However, it was resolved not to allow the president to demit office on the ground that he was elected by Naga people to serve their interest, and not for any particular tribe.
To buttress its point, the apex body pointed out that Horangse Sangtam was elected as president in 2005 with the purpose to harp unity among the Nagas though United Sangtam Likhum Bhumji, but he was not affiliated to Naga Hoho. And this had been its objective and practice since inception, it added.
Meanwhile, NH appealed to alls sensible Nagas and tribe leaders to come together once again and cooperate with the search committee for electing new office-bearers to take over the mantle by strengthening it with vigour and make it an apex body “free from personal affiliations and isms.”