DIMAPUR, Sept 24 - After Lotha Hoho and Sumi Hoho, the Ao Senden, the apex body of Ao Naga tribe, has dissociated itself from Naga Hoho until the latter revokes its consent to grant indigenous Naga tribe status to Rongmei tribe in Nagaland. The Ao Senden Federal Council after a marathon meeting on Friday resolved to disassociate from Naga Hoho.
In a press release today, the Ao Senden said the two Naga Hoho member tribes (Ao Senden and Sumi Hoho) along with Lotha Hoho comprising three Nagaland tribes (Central Nagaland Tribes Council) had served an ultimatum to Naga Hoho to take back its consent on Rongmei recognition as one of the Naga indigenous tribes of Nagaland. However, it said since the Naga Hoho chose to �undermine the same�, the three Hohos on August 24 last resolved at a meeting to disassociate from Naga Hoho.
The legislators belonging to the Ao tribe on September 22 appealed to the Ao Senden to reconsider and not to take any hasty decision on withdrawing from Naha Hoho, especially at this juncture when the Naga political talks with the Government of India is at a crucial stage.
The Sumi Hoho had declared its dissociation from Naga Hoho on September 10 while Lotha Hoho had on September 5 issued a public declaration of dissociation with it. The Lotha Hoho also clarified that there is no representative of the Lotha tribe in the Naga Hoho.
Meanwhile, the Sumi legislators have also appealed to the Sumi Hoho to reconsider its decision to dissociate from the Naga Hoho in the interest of Nagas as a whole. In a press release, PWD (R&B) Minister Y Vikheho Swu and PHE Minister Tokheho Yepthomi, on behalf of Sumi legislators, said, �Keeping in mind the ongoing Indo-Naga political dialogue where all the Nagas are stakeholders and equally responsible for the smooth and positive outcome of the political peace process and where any misunderstanding amongst the Naga family may jeopardise the political peace process.�
Further, the Sumi legislators also suggested that any issue within the Naga family should be resolved through discussion and consultation and not through other means.
On the other hand, the NSCN-IM Kyong region workers have appealed to the Lotha Hoho to reconsider its decision to disassociate from Naga Hoho.
In a press release, NSCN-IM Kyong region caretaker/CAO, Chonbenthung Lotha, said the region, taking serious note of the issue, held a meeting on September 22 in Wokha to deliberate and retrospect upon the matter. The CAO said the house recalled the past positive contributions of Lotha Hoho in the formation of the Naga Hoho as a pioneering member.
He said the Kyong region workers, after a detailed discussion, unanimously resolved to �sincerely appeal� to Lotha Hoho to reconsider its decision in the larger interest of the Nagas and for the peaceful coexistence of the Lothas along with other Naga brothers and sisters.
