Headlines       Vol. 1 Issue 42-43

Mar 22- Apr 6,   1999

Naga Hoho upholds 'referendum of 1951 plebiscite' In a significant move, for the first time, the Naga Hoho, the apex body of various Naga tribes, has resolved to uphold the 'referendum of 1951 plebiscite' and decided to chalk out necessary programmes to observe the day. The late A. Z. Phizo, the first leader of the Naga underground movement, had conducted the 'plebiscite' where the Nagas voted in favour of a 'sovereign Nagaland' on May 16, 1951. The resolution to this effect was adopted at the sixth general assembly of the Naga Hoho held recently in Dimapur. At the sixth general assembly, the Hoho has also reaffirmed its commitment to the issue of integration of all Naga-inhabited areas of the region, asserting that the Nagas want to live under one administrative set-up. In this context, the Naga Hoho condemned the recent statement of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and took exception to observations made by Nagaland Power Minister K. Therie and former Manipur chief minister Rishang Keishing on the same issue. The resolution said that Sonia Gandhi and the two Naga leaders did not want to subscribe to the demand for integration of all Naga-inhabited areas of the region though the 16-point agreement between Naga leaders and the then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru categorically mentioned about the integration of contiguous areas, saying 'if the people so desire'. Stating that the integration cannot be compromised, the Hoho decided to hold a special session soon on the issue and resolved to present a 'white paper' in the proposed deliberation. The Naga Hoho also disowned the 16-point agreement of 1960 which led to the formation of Nagaland State in 1963 and affirmed that the pact did not have any 'political legitimacy' on aspiration of the Nagas, saying it has been imposed on them. While welcoming the NSCN (IM) declaration of 'suspension of major operations' against other underground organisations, the general assembly of the Naga Hoho resolved to continue its efforts to pursue different underground factions for unification so that peaceful settlement to the Naga political problem could be found. On being asked about the possible effect of the resolution adopted in the sixth general assembly on the ongoing peace processes between the Centre and the NSCN (IM), M. Vero, former MP and president of the Naga Hoho in a telephonic conversation from Dimapur with NENA claimed that the resolution had provided the Centre to lead to amicably solve the Naga problem. “If the Centre is willing to solve the Naga problem, then we have provided it a clue,” Mr. Vero said. The Hoho president does not believe that by upholding the plebiscite the apex body had thrown a spanner in the peace process. Rather, he thinks that the resolution will definitely pave the way for an amicable solution of the vexed Naga problem. He denied that upholding the plebiscite was done at the behest of underground organisations. “Naga Hoho in its own wisdom has adopted the resolution,” he said. Talking on the issue of integration of Naga-inhabited areas, Mr. Vero opined that by commenting on the issue without having any knowledge about the ground realities, Sonia Gandhi has done more harm than any good to the Congress party in the region. Mr. Vero expressed satisfaction over the progress of the unity move among various Naga underground factions. On the other hand, Neingulo Krome, convenor, Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) speaking to NENA over telephone from Kohima informed that his organisation had yet not taken any decision on plebiscite yet but said that the NPMHR supported the demand of integration of Naga-inhabited areas. Meanwhile, 24 prominent citizens including Naga Mothers Association (NMA) president N. Angami, theological professor Dr. Wati Aier, principal of Patkai Christian College Dr. Tuisem Shishak have called for unity and reconciliation among different underground factions. In a statement they said,”We call the underground leaders to now consider and talk to one another to reach a common position for achieving the long-cherished goal for Nagas.” “The divide and conquer policy from within and outside has weakened the Naga struggle and threatened to destroy the movement,” they observed. Underlining the imperative for deep introspection to the entire political struggle, the signatories of the statement said, “If the Naga ship sinks to the bottom of the sea, the loss will be the same for everyone whether we are overground or underground, belonging to this or that group.” “We acknowledge and confess that in many ways we have directly or indirectly contributed to the present situation of the Nagas and we seek forgiveness for our failures,” the statement said. The appeal of the prominent citizens is significant as over 260 people have so far been killed in clashes involving Naga underground factions since the ongoing ceasefire came into effect on August 1, 1997.

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