TGOA rejects claims questioning FNTA member endorsement

DIMAPUR: Tikhir Gazetted Officers’ Association (TGOA) has rejected a statement issued by nine of its members led by general secretary T.L. Kiusumong Tikhir, questioning the endorsement of the Tikhir representative to the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA).
In a rejoinder, Yongchem, vice-president; P. Tochumong, joint secretary; Tsusekiu Y. Tikhir, information secretary; Apong, joint secretary; and Supanthong, advisor, TGOA said the claim that the endorsement of the Tikhir interim member was made without proper consultation or approval of the TGOA House was “a blatant falsehood and a manufactured allegation”.
It maintained that the selection was not an internal matter of the TGOA but a “tribal mandate”. According to the association, the meeting held at Anatongre village on March 10, 2026, was convened by the Tikhir Tribal Council (TTC) and attended by the TTC, Tikhir Bura Bura Association (TBBA), Tikhir Students’ Union (TSU), Tikhir Gaon Bura Association (TGBA), Tikhir Women Association (TWA), TGOA, village councils and the general public. TGOA said the endorsement was collectively approved by the frontal organisations after open-house deliberation, and therefore questioned the demand for separate TGOA House approval for the collective decision.
It said the contention that no formal deliberative meeting or resolution was held was “immature”, adding that prior circulation of the meeting notice in the official TGOA WhatsApp group, followed by personal invitations, constituted official communication as per prevailing practices.
The association said the meeting notice clearly stated the agenda as “Selection of Interim Council Member” and questioned how the TGOA could adopt a resolution for or against a candidate when the number of intending candidates was not known at the time.
TGOA also alleged that dissenting members had selectively quoted Articles 7 and 7.1(b) of its Constitution, claiming that the provisions empowered the president to represent the association at appropriate higher forums, particularly before the apex tribal council.
Rejecting the argument that mere presence at the meeting or the absence of some members could not be construed as consent, the TGOA said decisions taken by members present after deliberation, whether unanimously or by majority, were binding.
It further alleged that some members had prioritised private farm visits and personal work over the meeting concerning the selection of the Tikhir interim council member.
The association said the declaration by some members that the endorsement was “null, void and non-binding” was itself “null, void, non-est” and stood rejected. TGOA appealed to Tikhir citizens to remain united and not be swayed by what it described as “divisive propaganda” at a time when the ENPO’s demand for the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority was approaching realisation.