Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) has flagged several aspects of the state government’s move to form the “apex tribal body of Nagaland” by alleging a hidden agenda for “population migration without territorial integration” through inclusion of ‘Zeliangrong Baudi’ comprised of the whole tribe of Zeliang and Rongmei of Nagaland, Manipur and Assam who would become citizens of Nagaland once they are included at the proposed Tier-III under Tenyimi Union Nagaland(TUN) and also on the issue of providing financial assistance to the proposed body under Chapter-II, Clause 23 of the Nagaland Village & Tribal Council Act, 1978 (as amended in 2022).
Reacting to the media report on November 22, regarding the initiative to form the apex tribal body and meeting at Kohima on November 21, attended by several ministers and advisers, NTC said the “new born tribe” Zeliangrong Baudi meant that the whole tribe of Zeliang and Rongmei of Nagaland, Manipur and Assam would become citizens of Nagaland.
NTC pointed out that tribes under TUN included– Angami Public Organisation (APO), Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO), Pochury HoHo (PH), Rengma Hoho (RH) and Nagaland Zeliang People Organisation (NZPO).
Quoting papers and write-ups in the print and social media, NTC said the proposed tribal apex body would have three levels: Tier-I comprising of tribal level; Tier-II to comprise of the Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC), Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) and Tenymi Union Nagaland (TUN), and Tier-III to comprise of state level tribal organisations and representatives from all tribes of Nagaland.
NTC said the proposed Naga apex body is to be formed in accordance with Chapter-II, Clause 23 of the Nagaland Village & Tribal Council Act, 1978 (as amended in 2022).
In the proposal for formation of apex council/hoho of Nagaland, there was a “Preamble Of Understanding” stating – “We the three Regional Tribal Organizations of Nagaland; CNTC, the ENPO and the TUN…” According to NTC the pledge-type preamble of understanding would be undertaken in accordance with Chapter-II, Clause 23 of the above-mentioned Act.
NTC said that as per the structural write-up/working paper- “Tribal level organisation or federation of tribal unions/councils is allowed under the Nagaland Village and Tribal Council Act 1978 Chapter-II Clause 23-27 of 2022 Amendment”.
Some tips under the proposed apex body also comprise of Section 26 : “…Council(s) shall assist the state government and its various agencies, in maintenance of law and order in the society…” ; Sec-27: “It shall be legitimate for the State government to provide financial assistance or…..”; Sec-27A (1) : “The State government may by notification in the Gazette make rules consistent with this Act….”
NTC also pointed out that a clarification was made to shift responsibility from the government to a particular individual on November 22. However, NTC said the person holds a responsible post as Advisor to the Chief Minister, and therefore, “the contents of the proposed Tribal apex body formation remains the same.”
NTC said it is the prerogative of the government to establish any institution or designate any name equivalent to a public undertaking/sector and concluded that, the proposed apex tribal body will become one such a branch under the government statute.
NTC pointed out that it has represented Nagas of Nagaland as the tribal apex body for the past 11 years since its official launch at the APO Hall, Kohima on October 12, 2013 with its constitution and history. It was also a time when the people of Nagaland were confronted with countless anomalies and adversities when there was no Nagaland tribes apex body to take care of the issues then.
NTC said it was formed at such a time when Nagaland was left foundling without any guardian for the citizens to address the issues. There were due consultations separately held with all the tribal hohos in Nagaland in the process of its formation. NTC said since its formation, it has been relentlessly attended to all matters of importance concerning Nagaland tribes and assured that as an apex tribal organisation of Nagaland, it would continue to remain as a watchdog.
Further NTC reiterated that its main aims were to uphold, promote, protect, and preserve the social fabric and cultural heritage of the communities; foster unity, brotherhood, and fraternity among Naga people; strive towards common goal and for the wellbeing of the member tribes; extend solidarity towards the interest of each member tribe and propagate the need for peace and eschew any form of violence.
Even if there would be a Nagaland tribal apex body formed under the Nagaland Village and Tribal Council Act, 1978 (as amended in 2022) and functioning under the direction of the state government, NTC reiterated that it would continue to function as a non-political and non-governmental and would not be deterred from doing so.