Kohima:
Apex tribal council Naga Hoho has denied media reports that Naga civil societies, NPF MLAs and NSCN(I-M) leaders met at Dimapur recently to chalk out strategies for the coming Assembly election in Manipur.
The Hoho, in a clarification, said the apex council had called a consultative meeting at Dimapur on Wednesday among the representatives of civil society groups, NPF party leaders and NSCN(I-M) senior functionaries to deliberate upon "the issues concerning Naga people, alternative arrangement for Nagas in Manipur and Naga re-conciliation and peace process".
Hoho general secretary Chuba Ozukum said the elections in Manipur was "outside the perimeter of Naga Hoho", and denied reports that the meeting was attended by NPF MLAs and senior NSCN(-M) leader V S Atem.
NSCN(I-M) general secretary Th Muivah accompanied by a few senior leaders of the outfit attended the consultative meeting, sources said.
The Naga Hoho requested media not to publish any news item without authenticating the factual story to avoid tarnishing their image.
Meanwhile, Naga People's Front, the ruling dispensation in Nagaland, decided to contest in 12 Assembly segments of hill districts in the January 28 election in Manipur, party sources said.