Present Naga Club un-mandated, formed by vested individuals: NSF

May 31, 2023 30 Views No Comment

Ongoing agitation suspended until further notice

Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 31

The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) on Tuesday reaffirmed that it will not recognize the “un-mandated group of individuals considering themselves to be the Naga Club and claiming sole ownership of the Naga Club building” which the Federation asserted had been zealously safeguarding as its custodian.

Placing on record the resolutions adopted at an emergency NSF seniors consultative meeting held at Angami Public Organisation (APO) conference hall, the NSF in a public declaration also claimed that the “present Naga Club was formed recently by some few individuals with vested interest by cherry picking some few descendants of the original Naga Club members.”

Towards this, the Federation said the Naga people should decide as to whether the Naga issue, the Naga political history and the resulting rights of the Naga people can be owned and inherited by some individuals.

“Naga Club belongs to all the Naga people. No individual or group can claim ownership of the same. The NSF in the best interest of all the Naga people cannot allow some few individuals to usurp the legacy of unity and the Naga nationhood. More so, Naga Club must not be exclusive but inclusive of all Nagas without borders.”

The Federation also resolved to let the Naga people decide as to whether there is a need to revive the Naga Club and also whether the club is relevant in the present context.

“The Naga people should collectively decide on the fate of the Naga Club and not be misled by narratives which are barely even the half truth. If need be, every frontal organization of the Naga tribes must come together under one roof and decide on the fate of the Naga Club. NSF will extend our fullest co-operation and support towards achieving that end,” it stated.

On the other hand, the Federation said it will be agreeable if the Naga Club is properly restructured with the collective mandate of the Naga people. “Its ideology and principles should be grounded on the contents of the Memorandum submitted by the then Naga Club to the Simon mission in 1929.”

Meanwhile, the ongoing agitation of the Federation in the form of sit-in protest has been suspended “until further notice.” The NSF had begun the sit-in protest from May 29, demanding justice over the vandalisation/demolition of its office in the Naga Club building Kohima on May 27.

“On the advice of the NSF seniors, the ongoing agitation of the Federation shall stand suspended until further notice. However, the Federation shall continue to press for justice to be delivered at the earliest,” the resolution adopted at the emergency seniors consultative meeting read.

NSF general secretary, Supuni Ng Philo informed that the seniors and members present at the meeting resolved to recommend the incumbent officials of NSF to restart the normal functioning to the NSF office by setting up a makeshift Pandal from May 31.

NSF president Kegwayhun Tep said it will continue to fight to ensure that justice is prevailed and “those people who were involved, as per the law, they should be punished.”

“The suspension of our agitation today, at this crucial moment, does not mean that we have stopped our movement or does not mean that we have withdrawn our movement. But situation compel us to do so,” Tep said while adding that the Federation look forward to participation and cooperation of each and every leaders, when call for, in the days to come.