Naga Hoho (NH) said it was concerned over the continued “intimidation of State government employees through threats of levelling sedition charges and profiling.”
Referring to governor RN Ravi’s recent order requiring State government employees to provide list of relatives connected with NPGs and threatening to initiate sedition charge against those asserting for Naga people for political self-determination, NH president HK Zhimomi and general secretary K Elu Ndang stated that this did not reflect well of his intent and agenda. NH said such directives from the governor to the State government were nothing but “another form to dehumanise Naga people’s hopes and aspirations”.
Condemning what it termed as “dictatorial attitude” of the governor and for not even having the civility to listen and consult an elected government, NH urged upon chief minister Neiphiu Rio and the State cabinet “not to allow a titular head undermine the existence of an elected government”.
NH alleged that this was “an extension of fascism into Nagaland” where Naga people, who have been traditionally democratic, were suddenly assumed unfit to govern themselves. It said the governor was trying to break the people into tribes, groups and now beginning to target and criminalise individuals. NH also slammed the alleged “attempt to prosecute Dr Inato Jimomi and stifle rest of the Nagas” and asserted that Jimomi or any Naga had the right and freedom to express love for their land.
It said in doing so, it was not to advocate against India, but a natural expression of a Naga who had experienced suffering due to conflict and militarisation and continue to bear its brunt.
Calling for peace and freedom for all the oppressed, NH said, “A person cannot be deprived of one’s liberty to freedom of expression and natural rights.”
It also wondered as to what was making Ravi think what could not be achieved as a negotiator of peace process could be achieved as a governor. NH stressed that the peace talks which were going on for the past two decades between Government of India and Naga political groups was too precious to be derailed by the lack of sight of a single person.
It appealed to all Nagas to stand together against such persecution and injustice.