A pleasant weekend for peace protagonists, how ?
Rio deserves credit for anchoring July 16 show
New Delhi
The harm that the inordinate delay to work out a peace and solution formulae has inflicted upon Nagaland and Naga life cannot be undone quickly.
However, an atmosphere of optimism prevailed this weekend across Nagaland
and those working for 'peace' in Delhi as the NNPG, the umbrella organisation of seven militant groups, won a small war. It was a critical one.
Devotees must have visited the places of worship on Sunday.
"The Parliamentary Committee welcomes the positive initiatives being
taken by the Government of India and the Working Committees of the NNPG
in regard to the on-going peace dialogue....," says the first paragraph of the statement signed by CM Neiphiu Rio, T R Zeliang, K Azo Nienu and Y Patton (BJP floor leader and Deputy CM).
In the national capital, key players were keeping eyes on things unfolding at Kohima.
Some were delighted as expected as the resolution from the panel sent in 'positive
vibes'.
There were a few exchanges of congratulatory messages also.
But some still remained skeptics more due to habits and past experience.
It's time to maintain 'cautious optimism', went the refrain in certain quarters.
A few said, the NNPG should feel happy but at the NNPG camp, the resolution has to be taken positively but with its due pinch of salt.
The argument being tt has been a rare occasion for the Rio-led dispensation of NDPP-BJP-NPF to appreciate
the role played by the NNPG, the umbrella organisation led by N Kitovi Zhimomi.
Importantly, the statement acknowledges publicly that the formal talks were completed on Oct 31, 2019.
Previously, there was an attempt to blame the then Governor R N Ravi for making his statement on the floor of the assembly.
Generally, an impression prevails in Nagaland that appreciating Kitovi and his men could be 'displeasing' to others.
All these when allegations prevailed that powerful sections in the present Nagaland
politics were biased towards NSCN-IM.
Veteran S C Jamir did his part of plain speaking recently.
"A vast majority of the people are anxiously waiting for a new dawn but a small minority of the Nagas want to continue the status quo but people are now vehemently against it," he wrote in an article.
That Jamir despite being a Congressman has maintained his friendship with Narendra Modi shows the political acumen of both the maestros. Today, all these could be helping the mutual cause of nation building in peace.
Jamir also wrote: "...the extra-constitutional elements are many whose sole objective is to establish their supremacy through inter-group conflicts and illegal extortions which has brought upon the people of the state unmitigated miseries".
For his part, Chief Minister Rio deserves credit for anchoring the July 16 meet and the resolution.
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| Rajiv Gandhi: Nagaland |
There is a 'consistency' too on what his minister Neiba Kronu said at Pfutsero. And thankfully, there were no bytes that a third party should be brought in or that a practicing politician from Assam has a magic wand.
Silence is golden and more so when it is from inefficient and also over ambitious spokespersons. We need not name a few NDPP leaders here.
The fact of the matter is the 'opposition-less' regime where BJP is a constituent has agreed to respect people's sentiment.
Many Naga leaders including from NTC and political party NPF (K Azo) have said in the past that if the NSCN-IM does not agree for an early solution, it could walkout from the negotiations that started way back in 1997.
Critically, some protagonists and NSCN-IM have come under criticism.
Especially some Naga intellectuals and ex-IAS officers have alleged that a specific tribal group wants to dictate terms for Nagas in the present state of Nagaland.
A good beginning has been made by July 16 statement whatever the compulsions and pressures from the 'determined' duo of PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. This should sustain.
Respecting people's will is always Modi's forte.
Maybe, Nagaland may soon echo, 'Modi asey- hobo toh' --- the Nagamese version of hashtag 'Modi Hae toh Mumkin hae'.
ends
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