Hoho president Keviletuo Kewhuo said they had decided to postpone the rally till such a time when the situation becomes conducive for all. “We have not cancelled the rally but postponed it.”
But a source said the rally was not being held because of opposition by some insurgent groups which are against the ongoing political dialogue between the Union government and the NSCN (Isak-Muivah). These groups have been critical about the role of the Naga organisations, alleging a pro-NSCN (I-M) stand.
The NGOs, however, rebutted this charge stating that they were only supporting the ongoing peace process.
The Khole-Kitovi and Khaplang factions of the NSCN had opposed the proposed interim agreement between the Centre and the NSCN (I-M), insisting that the Centre should take them, too, on board. But despite their willingness to sit for talks, New Delhi has not responded yet. The Khaplang faction has also accused the Neiphiu Rio government of being pro-NSCN (I-M).
The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) today reaffirmed that it would play a supportive role in bringing about an honourable and acceptable solution to the Naga problem.
The 18-member Joint Legislators’ Forum led by the chief minister and leader of the Opposition, Tokheho Yepthomi, has begun to meet the Naga insurgent groups in an effort to give momentum to the peace process. It has already met leaders of NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) but the rebel leaders were critical of the role played by the lawmakers, accusing them of being one-sided and pro-NSCN (I-M).
The outfit categorically said it would not accept the resolution adopted by the 60 legislators that they would resign from the Assembly to pave the way for an alternative arrangement arrived at by the Centre and the NSCN (I-M).
The forum also met NSCN (K) at Mon, some 400km from here, today. Khaplang did not attend the meeting as he lives in Myanmar.
The NSCN (I-M) today issued a statement saying that if the agreement with the Centre comes through, the Nagas would get respite from a “torturous struggle”.
“When the political dialogue seems to have reached a logical conclusion, different Naga groups and individuals have raised alarms in the name of patriotism and in the name of freedom of expression,” it stated, adding, “The dog barks but the caravan moves on.”