Naga Club defends legacy and expresses commitment to new building

Mokokchung, 5 June (MTNews): Responding to the NSF’s statement, the Naga Club issued a counterstatement today asserting that it was established in 1918 and laid the foundation for the Naga people’s right to self-determination. The club stated that it represented and stood up for all Nagas, promoting unity and brotherhood, and asserted that the political consciousness expressed in the memorandum to the Simon Commission shaped the political course of the Nagas.
Additionally, the club argued that it had a series of office bearers throughout the years, and the current officials were “duly elected and part of the NC’s legacy.”
They clarified that after a lapse of approximately 12 years from 1969 to 1982, the Naga Club was revived on 7 January 1982 during the Naga Elders’ Conference held at Kohima Village Panchayat. Azüto Rengma served as the Chairman, Vilavor Liegise as the General Secretary, and Kewezü Mero as the Joint Secretary. It was further highlighted that Mero continued his role as the Joint Secretary cum Caretaker until 17 August 2017.

Subsequently, on 17 August 2017, a general public meeting was held at Red Cross Building Kohima where a new team of NC took charge of the Office headed by Krurovi Peseyie as President and K.N. Mhonthung Lotha as Gen. Secy, who were revered for their ‘unpurchaseable integrity’.

According to the statement, the Naga Club affirmed that former Office Bearers, such as Ex-MP Khymo Lotha and Kewezü Mero, continue to contribute as Advisors to the present Office of the NC up until the present day. It emphasized that Mero has been instrumental in keeping the flame of the Naga Club burning and preserving its spirit since 7 January 1982, and he handed over the responsibility to the new team in 2017.

Furthermore, the statement highlighted that Mero was among the NC office team that permitted the NSF to occupy the NC building on a rental basis.

“The present incumbent office bearers are duly elected and are a part of the succession of the Office Lineage of the NC to protect and preserve the legacy of the NC and to proactively work for the period of time they have been elected to hold Office. Therefore, it is absurd, ignorant and misplaced to assume that the Naga Club was formed only in 2017/18 as had been alleged by NSF,” it stated.

With regard to the NC Building, the Naga Club said it was constructed in 1946 on land provided by Kohima Village and served as a meeting place for the Naga National Movement and was occupied by various entities over the years, including the Indian Army and the Directorate of the Forest Department.

The club also explained that the NSF occupied the NC Building on a rental basis from 1983 and, therefore, the relationship between the NC and NSF is that of a landlord-tenant relationship, and therefore, the NC has the authority to reclaim the building for reconstruction. Further, the Club argued that their objective is to reconstruct the building and give it back to the Naga people collectively.

Regarding the issue of non-payment of rent, the Club made it clear that, for the sake of preserving the facts, the NC received a payment of Rs 500 from the NSF as house rent for the month of April 1983. However, when the then General Secretary of the NC, Vilavor Liegise, requested monthly rent, a mere sum of Rs 50 or Rs 100 was paid, claiming a lack of funds, which the Club considered to be a mockery of their elders. Nevertheless, as per the club’s perspective, the NSF being a students’ organization, they took note of the financial constraints mentioned in the rental application and therefore, the non-payment of house rent was never made an issue, nor had it been made an issue even today.

Expanding on their standpoint, the club put forth the argument that the dilapidated condition of the NC Building necessitated its demolition and reconstruction. They emphasized that the new structure would be equipped with modern amenities and honor the legacy of the NC’s pioneer leaders.

According to the Club, they had duly sent requests and notices to the NSF, urging them to vacate the building. However, no response was received from the NSF. The Naga Club further claimed that the demolition of the building has been ‘misinterpreted and sensationalized for vested interests’. The club suggested that emotional rhetoric has been used to distort the facts and tarnish the image of the Naga Club.

On reconstruction of the building, the club stated that it is concerned with the historical significance of the club and the historical relevance to the Nagas, and the NC building that projects the image of the Nagas. The land patta, construction permit, construction committee, finance committee etc are all set in place and ready for the benevolent mission, it said. Once the reconstruction of NC Building near the Old Secretariat Complex, Kohima is completed, it is envisioned to house a museum and a library, it stated. The building will also house an office as a Morung, a conference hall and make provisions to house the people coming from the remote Naga inhabited areas, it revealed. “It is, therefore, hoped that wisdom will prevail over youthful brashness in the greater interest of the Nagas,” it added.

The NC statement was appended by Kuolachalie Seyie, President; KN Mhonthung Lotha, General Secretary; Kewezü Mero, Khymo Lotha, Pheluopfhelie Kesiezie, Dr Vinito L Chishi and Ariyi Nienu – Advisors; Prasielie Pienyü, Convenor, Descendants of Simon Commission Signatories; Adv Khriedi Theünuo, Convenor, WC NC; Dr Viketoulie Pienyü, Secretary, WC NC; Seyiekuolie Kesiezie Finance Secretary; and Robert N Solo; Chairman, Program Committee.