Hoho leaves poll boycott decision to electorate

KOHIMA, August 18: The apex tribal council, Naga Hoho, has resolved to boycott the ensuing Lok Sabha elections in Nagaland, but this time it will not direct political parties and the electorate to do the same, leaving the matter to their "wisdom" The recent meeting of the Hoho here resolved not to participate in the polls, asserting that the solution to Naga political problem is its "priority", not the Lok Sabha elections. The Hoho along with other NGOs urged the political parties before the last general elections in the state to boycott the polls to "give peace a chance". Accordingly Opposition parties had responded to the call giving a cakewalk victory to the Congress. But the August 12 crucial meeting, attended by representatives of different tribal Hohos, decided to leave the matter to the wisdom of political parties to determine their future, Hoho sources said. The Naga Hoho Summit is a conglomeration of different Hohos (tribal councils) from Naga-inhabited areas. The Opposition political parties have on many occasions expressed their dismay over the activities of the Naga Hoho, alleging that the apex tribal council failed to implement its "words". While directing the political parties before the last general elections, the Hoho had announced that those who would participate in the polls against the "will of the Naga people" would be declared "anti-Nagas". But Opposition parties alleged that the Hoho had failed to implement its "slogan" and throwing the Opposition parties into a "humiliating position". Due to non-participation in the polls, the Nagaland Peoples' Council (NPC) lost its recognition with the Election Commission. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state unit and the Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM) too did not participate in the February 1998 elections in Nagaland. The Naga Hoho also expressed deep concern over the ongoing factional killings. "They should stop all such activities... It pains us," Naga Hoho president M Vero said. The Naga Hoho has already conveyed its dismay over the ongoing fratricidal animosity to National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) leadership and urged them to abjure the path of violence. Representatives from the Hoho attended the August 14 Independence Day celebration functions at the NSCN headquarters. Underground organisations in Nagaland have been observing their Independence Day on the eve of the Indian Independence Day since 1947. The then Naga National Council (NNC) under the leadership of Angami Zapu Phizo had declared independence on August 14, 1947.