Nagas & Meiteis can’t live together: Hoho

KOHIMA, MAY 22 (NPN):
"Nagas and Meiteis cannot cohabit anymore and now the Nagas want complete separation of the two communities and it doesn't matter in whatever way," the Naga Hoho said Saturday.
"How long can the meitei suppress the Naga people", Naga Hoho President Keviletuo Kiewhuo asked while briefing media persons after a marathon consultative meeting with the constituent tribal hoho representatives held at Hotel Japfü here today. "Wherever Nagas are, be it in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam or Myanmar, they are all Nagas and if they suffer, we are there", he said. He also informed that the Naga Hoho would soon have consultative meeting with the Eastern Naga Peoples' Organization.
Stating that the Nagas would not allow the suppressive act of the Manipur government, the Naga Hoho president said that the onus of resolving the problem was with the government of India which 0should put wrong to right. He said Manipur government has defied the directive of the union home ministry at the centre which had issued directive to the states of West Bengal, Nagaland and Manipur regarding Muivah's itinerary.
He also revealed that the consultative meeting was well participated and had a comprehensive discussion on many issues. He said the consultative meeting was called for since the strength of the Nagas lay with the tribes.
The meeting mostly deliberated on the earlier May 8 Naga Hoho declarations which had evoked some response from certain quarters of the society. He said although the Naga Hoho leaders had recently met the GPRN/NSCN leaders and clarified its stand, the Hoho felt the need to take the constituent tribes into confidence for which the consultative meeting was convened.
He said the tribal representatives found nothing wrong but that it was a case of "misinterpretations."
In this regard the tribal representatives re-affirmed the same five-point declaration, based on which, the Hoho would now take up various activities.
The Naga Hoho president also revealed that the consultative meeting had set up a working committee which would consist of one member each from all the tribes and the tribe hoho presidents as ex-officio members to co-ordinate in all the activities.
He informed that the house also resolved to officially write to the Government of India to create a conducive atmosphere at Mao Gate by withdrawing all the Manipur armed police, commandos and IRB so that the displaced villagers who were presently sheltering at Kisama and Khuzama could go back home safely without any fear.
In an indirect reference to the presence of armed NSCN (I-M) cadres at Viswema village along with their top brass leaders led by 'Ato Kilonser' Th Muivah, the Hoho president said that the house also deliberated on the safety of the civilians at the place for a long time and decided to make an appeal to vacate armed cadres from the civilian areas. "We say there should be separation of arm force and civilian", he said but refused as and when the Hoho was going to make the appeal. "Our concern is to protect our people," Keviletuo said.
When asked to comment whether Muivah should go to his hometown at the prevailing situation, the Hoho president refused to comment and said that should be solved by the government of India, government of Manipur and the NSCN (I-M).
On the plight of the suffering people in Imphal due to the economic blockade, the Hoho president said that the question of lifting the blockade did not arise as whatever little food, medicines and other essential commodities were being airlifted presently.
He said the Meiteis were not allowing the same to reach the Nagas areas. "When someone died here, they're not concerned and when someone is going to starve they're shouting. Where is the logic?" he queried.
He, however, said that there were many options of allowing some commodities on humanitarian ground but was apprehensive that given the current situation, the same would not be allowed to go to Naga areas. "Let us, see how the Meitei will reciprocate," he added.
Further, he also said that the consultative meeting also deliberated on the recent assault on its leaders by some "anti-social" elements at Hotel Grandeur, Kohima and the house decided that the Hoho would not tolerate any assault or attempt on its leaders or all sorts of threat and intimidation by any persons or group.