NSCN-K castigates Hoho for tarnishing Naga image
Correspondent Assam Tribune
DIMAPUR, May 18 – In the aftermath of the May 6 incident at Mao Gate along Nagaland-Manipur border wherein two students were killed and scores other injured in Manipur Police firing, the NSCN-K has castigated the Naga Hoho, the apex Naga organisation, for stirring up ‘unjustified anger over a tiny issue, tarnishing the image of Nagas in the eyes of the neighbours and Naga well wishers across the globe.’
The NSCN-K in a statement accused the Naga Hoho of “throwing flaming balls into the neighborhood in accordance to the script written by Th Muivah” while regretting that, as an apex body, the Hoho belied expectations of Nagas to display maturity and elderly wisdom.
Noting that the Naga Hoho “in the truest sense” comprised only less than half of the Naga tribes in Nagaland, the NSCN-K flayed the Naga Hoho for press statements, which it said, had “created wider rift among the Nagas and also created much apprehension in the neighbouring States.”
It pointed to the May 9 issue in the local papers where the Hoho’s statement was published under the headline “Manipur Government’s open declaration of war against the Nagas.” Commenting on the Hoho statement, the NSCN-K said “only a group of men having hidden agenda would attempt to whip up people’s sentiments and emotion to suit their own interest”.
While saying it was unfortunate that precious lives were lost (on May 6), the NSCN-K said instead of “declaring vengeance against Manipur on behalf of the Naga people”, the Hoho should have calmed down and see what had “transpired preceding the incident.”
It asked, if Manipur Government has accused Muivah of “committing heinous crimes” in Manipur, did it merit that the Hoho “unilaterally declared war on behalf of all Nagas against Manipur?”
The NSCN-K further asked the Hoho whether it would not have been wiser on its part to “first investigate, whether the accusations against Th Muivah are fabricated or factually true?”
It said all leading Naga and Manipuri organistions “must realise that a man’s entry or exit from his native village is not worth a battle, let alone war”, adding what the Nagas want the Hoho to do was to let “the father and son solve their own domestic issue.”
Further, the NSCN-K said in the event of Manipur resorting to violence against Nagas, the Naga Hoho general secretary and speaker “should bear full responsibility” for this consequence.
