No outsiders to decide on destiny of Nagas of Nagaland: Nagaland Tribes Council

Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) president Toniho Yepthomi on Tuesday asserted that “the destiny of the Nagas of Nagaland shall never be allowed to be decided by the outsiders so long as the integration of land is not possible”.
Delivering the presidential address during the annual general council session of NTC at Indian Red Cross Society Nagaland State Branch conference hall here, Toniho Yeptho assured that NTC would not shy away from its responsibility on this particular issue.
Admitting that numerous issues were still confronting the people of Nagaland, he said one such major issue was the vexed Naga political issue that was plaguing them for over 70 years now. Therefore, NTC president called for supporting one another until the goal for an inclusive, honourable and acceptable solution was reached for a lasting peace.
Toniho further said that NTC was formed due to unavoidable situation and circumstances at a time when the Nagas were experiencing a negative trend of self-destruction and confusion all around. He said other lingering issues confronting the peace-loving people of Nagaland were the proposal to implement Uniform Civil Code, CAA, AFSPA RIIN. He claimed that NTC had been representing the people before the authorities concerned at the Central and State levels on all these issues.
Toniho remarked that the RIIN Commission’s report tabled in Nagaland Legislative Assembly required further evaluation else, it was better not to have RIIN in the State in its present form.
He declared that the State government’s notification with December 1, 1963 as the cut-off date for an individual to be counted as indigenous inhabitant of Nagaland was enough for all purposes.
Regarding enforcement of BEFR Act, 1873/ILP in Nagaland, he said the State government had already notified enforcement of ILP across the State, including Dimapur, and its implementation was now eagerly awaited.
Yepthomi credited JCPI, an umbrella organisation of NTC backed by 28 civil society organisations (CSOs), including Nagaland Tribes Hohos, for the service rendered thus far on ILP.
Further, declaring that NTC was open to all apex tribal hohos, CSOs and all citizens of the State, he assured that the council would work with all like-minded organisations to set things right as per the desire of Nagas of Nagaland.
The NTC president further appealed and urged all tribal bodies in the State to take its respective decisions on the issues that were in public domain and collectively work to deliver what was honourable and acceptable to the “native people” of the State.
Ao, Lotha, Pochury and Sema hoho leaders and NTC counsellor from Angami community K Seyie also spoke on the occasion.
Chaired by NTC executive member Joshua Newmai, the session commenced with a prayer by Kohima Pochury Baptist Church pastor Dr Z Mosa Tsang.
NTC secretary Atathu Thur led the gathering in obituary reference, while general secretary Nribemo Ngullie presented the secretarial report. NTC vice-president Imsünok Ao gave the vote of thanks.