Source: Newmai News Network / The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 16:
Naga Hoho general secretary Dr John Murry has said that the eleven MLAs belonging to the Naga community in Manipur in the present Legislative Assembly have lost their identities now.
Speaking as the functional president at the seed-sowing festival of the Nagas Lui-Ngai-Ni, Dr John Murry said that the people of Nagaland were surprised when the eleven Naga MLAs in Manipur kept silent even when the United Committee, Manipur (UCM) had said that there were no Naga MLAs in Manipur early last year.
The tough talking Naga Hoho general secretary said that these eleven MLAs were not Naga MLAs nor they belong to any other community.
Naga MLAs Samuel Jendai and BD Behring were the guests of honour of the Lui-Ngai-Ni festival while Manipur Governor Arvind Dave was the chief guest of the function.
Various Naga tribes including Nocte Naga tribe of Arunachal Pradesh presented traditional items.
This year's festival theme was "Our Culture, Our Identity".
Dr John Murry said, "let this seed sowing festival be the seeds of tolerance, seeds of understanding and confidence." The Hoho leader further said that the Kukis know the history of Nagas and in Nagaland, Kukis are recognised adding that in the Naga-homeland the Nagas have no problem in accommodating other communities particularly the neighbours of the Nagas who want to live with the Nagas.
Dr Murry also said that the Meiteis and the Nagas have a very long relationship.
He said that the Naga kingdom recognised the Meitei kingdom and its territory adding that the Meiteis like the Nagas are struggling people to get recognition.
He said that the Nagas have sympathies for the Meitei people in this regard.
Murry said that unfortunately there had been anti-Naga campaign from the Naga neighbours and appealed to the Naga adversaries to stop the anti-Naga campaign saying that such act would worsen the neighbourly relationship.
The general secretary also said, "whether we like it or not the Meiteis and the Nagas will continue to live as neighbours so respect for each other�s rights is a must." The general secretary of the Naga Hoho further said that Nagas always wanted to be together and have been struggling for the homeland for the last 55 years as they have the right to live together as one people in the integrated Naga homeland.