Factions sidetrack the "real Naga issue": Dr Lotha
Source: Oken Jeet Sandham / NEPS

Khensa (Mokokchung), May 03: Nagaland Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr TM Lotha expressed pain and anguish on the prevailing state of affairs amongst the various Naga underground groups in the State.

Speaking as Chief Guest at the Moatsu Festival here on Wednesday, the Minister came down heavily on the senseless fratricides amongst the Naga underground factions, and asked, "What do they gain if they kill their brothers and sisters".

He said they seemed to have forgotten the Naga people's mandate for sovereignty, and rather they seemed to be fighting for "dominance and supremacy".

Seeing the ongoing mindless acts amongst the underground factions in the State, they seemed to have "sidetracked" the "whole issue," he said adding, "the question of sovereignty is not there".

Dr TM Lotha (Left Center) Minister, who is Chief Guest, in Moatsu Festival at Khensa & Minister Imkong L Imchen (right).

Asking logic behind this menace, Dr Lotha was categorical that the 60 years old Naga political issue should not be projected in that present fashion.

"My parents suffered, you suffered, I am also suffering and even our kids are experiencing similar situation," he stated.

In the process, they had lost in terms of human lives, properties, and besides facing unprecedented economic and developmental deprivation, he added.

"I think we have suffered more than our shares," he pointed out.

"It is time for the whole Naga people to realize and understand to lid all these acts." "Unless the Naga people come together, this problem will continue and the Naga people will ever remain backward," he further cautioned.

Appealing all the Naga people in the name of Maotsu Festival to unite and work for peace, the Minister stated the Naga people had a very unique underlining character that cemented the whole Naga family members.

"If I say Naga, it becomes natural cementing bond and this affinity should be constantly nurtured," he stated.

He also reminded about it was DAN Government's commitment to bring permanent peace in their land.

He said today the general mood of relative peace was felt everywhere and further expressed that they did not want to go against the wishes of the people whose desire was total peace to prevail in their land.

State School Education Minister Imkong L Imchen also spoke on the occasion.

He lamented the manner in which the underground factions- - - be it NSCN-IM or NSCN-K or Federal- - - were heading for.

He said the factions took the present ceasefires as a "license to kill the Nagas." "It s tragic and travesty of the ceasefire itself," he asserted.

The underground factions had totally forgotten the "Naga Sovereignty issue, so also the 1951 Plebiscite," he said adding they had little concern for the political issue but seriously concerned on their "mindless fratricides".

Sending a goodwill message and greetings to all especially the different underground groups, the Minister appealed to them to bury their hatchets and work for the common cause of the Naga people.

Various cultural dances, folk songs, tug of war enthralled the mammoth crowd.

The Chief Guest Dr Lotha also donated Rs 1 lac towards the fund of the Khensa Village Council.

Imsumeren chaired the program.