North East News Agency

IT was a show of strength and the organizers did well to manage hundreds of Naga people to attend the Integration rally in Kohima on August 31.Bouyed by the success of the rally, the Naga Hoho, the apex body of various Naga tribes has termed it a ．epoch-making event・ in the Naga history.

Nagas gathered in Kohima came out with an open declaration that ：on this day in the year of the Lord, the August 31, 2005, we, the Naga people gathered here at Kohima from all corners of the Naga homeland representing our respective communities, unequivocally re-affirm out life-long commitment for all Nagas to live together as one people in a unified Naga homeland, and     that integration of all Naga areas must be the foundation of any political settlement.；

The rally was attended by various political leaders, MPs, MLAs and NGOs. Welcoming the Naga people at the rally, Naga Hoho president Horangse Sangtam appealed to the people to support the ongoing peace process between the Centre and NSCN (IM). Reiterating that Nagas are one, the Hoho president requested the Central Government to accelerate the tempo of the talks and to reach to an amicable settlement soon. According to him that the desire of the Naga people to live as one people is legitimate and non-negotiable.

Reaffirming State Government resolve to uphold the solemn trust of the people and pursue their aspirations, Nagaland Home Minister Thenucho said: ：We are not Nagas by choice but by birth. It is fate and destiny to be a Naga and hence, ever since the Naga people became politically conscious in the modern sense of the term we have sought to exist as a people.

Leader of the Opposition and Congress leader I. Imkong stressed on unity among the Nagas and said that ： a united Naga voice will be more honourable and acceptable than voices of different groups.； He further added, ：We can envision a united and prosperous future of the Nagas, only when we can prepare the ground on broad consultations.

On the issue of greater Nagalim, Mr. Imkong pointed out that the approach of the Nagas should be peaceful and good neighbourly making an obvious reference to the objections raised by other North-Eastern states regarding the demand. He cautioned that violent and agitational approach might negate the objective.

Member of Parliament from  Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituency Mani Charenmei while speaking in the rally appealed to the people especially the neighbouring communities to accept the reality of Naga history and sought their support for a just cause.

The Outer Manipur MP more  requested the Nagaland Government to share the responsibility to sponsor the democratic and legitimate integration movement.The need to demand for integration of the Naga territories under one political entity has been necessitated because the land of the Nagas was divided without their consent. No civilised people in today・s world would accept such injustice,； he said. 

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