Ao Senden questions state govt’s double speak

In a press note, the Senden took a dig at the government for “committing a sinful act by going against the very ethics of Christianity when even the highest Christian body in the state was taken for a ride by nullifying the signatures of NBCC which was made on the 30th of Jan’17”.

The Senden said to protest against “this form of cheating the people by the government”, a total bandh would be imposed in Mokokchung district on February 1 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Military, medical and press have been exempted from the purview of the bandh, the Senden informed.

Ao Senden has slammed chief minister T.R. Zeliang for his indirect comment on the 30 years excommunication order served by the Senden on some Ao candidates who had defied the appeal of the community. In a joint statement, Ao Senden acting president C. Angang Jamir and secretary L. Tally Lkr said “the Aos vehemently condemn Zeliang’s statement at the highest degree for his wilful interference in regard to the Ao custom and tradition.”

The Senden reminded Zeliang that in Nagaland, with its unique status as guaranteed under Articel 371 (A), every tribal body has its own “right to practice according to its customary tenets and accord”.

“In Naga context, each and every tribe has its own traditional values which safeguard and maintain its right to exercise. It is with great respect that the Naga tribal co-exists by respecting and non-interfering each other, vis-à-vis never imposes or condemn to attain mutual understanding and harmony,” the Senden stated.

With regard to the rights and duties of Ao Nagas, the Senden asserted that “no individual or tribe can dictate or interfere in any manner”. 

The customary and traditional practices for the Aos, to reign for 30 years (for a generation/Putu), have been its inherent rights since time immemorial, it said. 

Therefore, whosoever goes against the norms of the Ao custom and the clarion call of the community will be banished as per the Ao customary laws, the Senden said.  With regard to the present impasse, the Senden expressed dismay that the Nagaland Legislative Assembly had failed to listen to the wishes of various tribes in order to cohesively work together and to arrive at an amicable, solution in the interest of the Nagas. 

The Senden also pointed out that the government, despite using all its power/authority, failed to convince the tribal hohos in relation to its inherent customary practices. 

It further hit out at the CM for “intervening and burning his hand by indulging in tribal tradition”, saying it was “totally illogical and uncalled for and breach against the tribes at the highest order”.

Further, the Senden appealed to all leaders to understand the unique culture, custom, tradition and the rights of the different tribes of Nagaland.

In this regard, the Senden was of the opinion that “if the chief minister does not understand the basic tenets of the tribal’s standpoint, then he is morally not fit to lead the people.”