Why Tribal Hohos should urgently revive NTC ? ::::: CNTC is of the view that NTC cannot be left, becoming a Tenyimia dominated affair

"An apex tribal body must discharge the role of a genuine pressure group"

New Delhi

Autumn is a bit far off. But changes are on cards and some of it is happening around.

Most influential and major tribal bodies in Nagaland such as the Angami Public Organisation (APO), Sumi Hoho and Ao Senden are in the process of handing and taking over of new office bearers and giving responsibilities to new teams. 

As of today, there are eight active apex tribal bodies excluding ENPO. When it comes to the general functioning of these bodies, individuals do not matter much.

They work as community representative organisations committed to the welfare of the respective communities and the common interests of people of Nagaland.

'Nagaland Page'

As an example we can cite that Thejao Vihienuo from Chiechama village of the Northern Angami range will lead the new tenure of Angami Public Organization (APO) between 2024 and 2027.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio himself graced a function that was organised to hand over charge to the new team. The 22nd General Conference of the apex Ao Senden was held in Mokokchung in April.

The new office bearers of Ao Senden for the 2024-2026 tenure inducted includes: President -Marsanen Imsong, Merangkong (Langpangkong Range), Vice President – Aowati Ozükum, Süngratsü (Asetkong Range), General Secretary – Advocate Imtipokyim, Longkhum (Ongpangkong Range) among others. 

We do not intend to present a list of other tribal bodies here but in contrast our focus is to talk about the responsibilities the new teams have to shoulder.

This automatically drags us to discussing the role that was played and would be played in future too by the apex Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC). The NTC was launched as an apex umbrella body on Oct 12, 2013 and the last team served its tenure fairly successfully. 

It probably played the role of a platform of unsung heroes vis-a-vis the much cherished Agreed Position inked in 2017 along with like minded bodies such as the GB Federation.  

The NTC's normal tenure is  completed.

The new team of NTC is yet to be formed. But the work goes on.

A vibrant society like in Nagaland cannot be without the 'civil' voice.  ENPO is also extending issue based support to NTC from time to time.

Of course there are other pressure groups in the state. 

But as there is no 'representative-based apex tribal body'; one is afraid to point out that the civil society (with tribal bodies' authorisation and powers) does not exist at present.

The NTC nevertheless exists as a body but it needs its new team at the earliest.

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This brings us to the need to underline that the tribal bodies need to come together to revive NTC.

Sources say in the 8 tribes meeting of  Feb. 2024, it was resolved to restructure the NTC and "not form a new organisation".

So far, the talk is -- not all tribal Hoho has deputed representatives each for the NTC. 

The tribal representatives to NTC is nine for each tribe. The influential Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) comprising Aos, Semas and Lothas are of the view that each affiliating Conglomerate (Tenyimia, CNTC) must have equal representatives. 

The CNTC is reported to have proposed for equal representation - for example 15 members each - for each conglomerate organisations. It should not be tribewise. 

Sources also say that the CNTC is of the view that the NTC cannot be left, becoming a Tenyimia dominated affair. As of now there are five Tenyimia blocs out of eight. This issue therefore needs to be addressed mutually. 

In fact, there is an official CNTC resolution that states: "In the event of forming a tribal apex body comprising the Nagas of Nagaland it is resolved that the CNTC (Sumi, Lotha and Ao) shall strive towards upholding its separate entity on par with the other union/organsation viz TUN, ENPO and stand by the equal representation in the apex body. (not in the tribe wise representation)".

 

In 2023, some individuals tried to float what was dubbed as a Sarkari Tribal Body. But this move has been scuttled and hence all eyes are on whether NTC will be 'revived' at the earliest.

It is possible that some stakeholders in power in the state capital and their overt and covert influencers may not be very pleased with the pro active roles discharged by NTC.

But nevertheless it is high time an apex tribal representatives based body ought to come and it should discharge the role of a genuine pressure group. It can of course displease some elements. 

But that's the way an apex tribal body should function.

Ends