Adviser to CM Nagaland, Dr. Chumben Murry expressed surprise at the stand of Nagaland Tribe Council (NTC) , for alleging that the state government has a “hidden agenda” in formation of apex tribal Naga body in Nagaland, as reported in local dailies on November 25 adding it reflected NTC’s “detachment and apathy from the needs of the day”.
Reacting to NTC’s criticism over formation of proposed apex Naga tribe body, Dr. Chumben said that since the opportunity to form the apex body was not taken, the NTC’s write up “reflects ignorance and assumptive attitude.”
Hitting back at NTC which was supposed to be over a decade-old, Dr. Chumben asked “where have the years gone by since it (NTC) should have “matured into a responsible organisation.” He also termed NTC’s write up as anti-thesis to a progressive society.
He said NTC does not have the support of all Naga tribal organisations but if they persist , it was like “holding on to grass that has withered. “
Dr. Chumben further asked NTC that if it claimed to be a “foundation for common goals fostering unity, brotherhood and fraternity among Nagaland people, as it claimed, then why was it (NTC) irked by the move to unite various Naga tribal organisations under one banner?”
Further, Dr. Chumben said he had met NTC officials twice during the move to form the apex body and found that they (NTC officials) were “very gentlemanly” during the discussion.
Dr. Chumben pointed out that even after it has been clarified that the November 21 meeting in Kohima was not facilitated by the government initiative, he reiterated that it was also “not a government initiative.”
According to Dr. Chumben, being conscious of the need for an apex body for Nagas of Nagaland, he admitted that he ventured to facilitate the meeting and made the proposal to the chief minister.
Dr. Chumben said in response the chief minister said: “We Nagas are diverse in nature and there is always absolute need for Unity, that is why we have chosen “Unity” as our State motto. However, as a Govt. we cannot form civil societies, it is upto them. But we should continue to encourage them to come together in Unity”.
Encouraged by the chief minister’s words , Dr.Chumben said it pushed him to facilitate unity move but since he couldn’t do it alone he shared the matter with legislators and that all agreed that Nagas of Nagaland should have an apex body with support of all Naga tribes.
This factor was the reason why legislators graced the proposal not only for the November 21 meeting but also on “two other occasions” which he organised with CNTC, TUN and ENPO. Dr. Chumben opined the need for an apex body stemmed from the fact that Nagas were often confronted with issues common to Nagas of Nagaland which reminded them of this need.
He pointed out that the Naga Hoho formed in 1995 in Wokha was supposed to be the apex body for Nagas of Nagaland but over passage of time, it included Nagas outside Nagaland which led Nagas of Nagaland without their own apex body.
He also said the recent formation of Tenyimi Union Nagaland (TUN) for Tenyimis of the state, was appreciated by all.
Dr. Chumben said all communications and letters sent to the three regional bodies and their affiliated units were also given to NTC. However, Dr. Chumben said expressed surprise with the press statement of the NTC.
The advisor expressed the hope that NTC will have the good sense to rethink and come together with the other organizations to form an apex body for the benefit of posterity. “Let us not begat our fragmentation to posterity,” he added.
On the issue of raised by NTC on inclusion of Zeliangrong Baudi, Dr. Chumben said it was a far-fetched assumption as the organization did not figure in the move for unity. He said Nagaland Zeliang Peoples’ Organization (NZPO)was invited, but did not turn up at the meeting due to some “transitional problem”.
With regard to Nagaland Village & Tribal Council Act 1978 (as amended in 2022), Dr. Chumben said it was a wise decision of the government to have tribal councils incorporated into the Act, in order to provide legality to the tribal councils.
He pointed out that if one carefully read the whole portion of the Act, it is made clear that village councils were mandatory institutions while tribal councils were not. All conceivable guidelines are given elaborately for Village councils but for tribal councils no such guidelines are mentioned, meaning they are at liberty to frame their own constitution and guidelines, stated Dr. Chumben.
It was only prudent for the government to ask for organizations to assist in times of stress to maintain peace and law and order, he added.
Dr. Chumben reiterated that he as a politician and more so the legislators running the affairs of the government, cannot involve in actual formation of civil society or NGO.
“Whatever position we hold, we are part and parcel of our respective tribal as well as regional organization. That is the essence of being tribals,” said Dr. Chumben .
He said legislators have every right to advise, raise concern and that today, it was on the need to form an apex body of Nagas of Nagaland.
In Naga context, he said the government and CSOs were two important institutions, one cannot do without the other. He also expressed dismay that ENPO refused to join the band wagon adding that had they agreed, then the core idea was to forge a “Preamble of Understanding” for formation of an apex body. Dr. Chumben said this must not be construed as actual formation of the body.
He said the onus would then be upon the CSOs to collectively form the apex body that would be inclusive of even NTC, provided the latter was willing to come to terms that it does not have the support of all tribes and need to relook into the matter with a positive and progressive mind. In conclusion, Dr. Chumben urged upon all Nagas of Nagaland to come forward.