Kolkata meet b/w NSCN(IM) and NNPG achieved its target

Published 'Nagaland Page', Oct 20, 2022

Kolkata meet b/w NSCN(IM) and NNPG achieved its target 

"PM should fix a date for grand signing ceremony", says Theja

New Delhi 

The newly floated Naga People's Action Committee (NPAC) on Wednesday welcomed the just concluded Kolkata conclave between NSCN-IM and umbrella organisation NNPG and maintained that it has "achieved its minimum and maximum target".

"Let me make it clear, I am speaking as an individual. But the Kolkata meeting went off well between NSCN-IM and NNPG. I did not expect any miracle, so I am happy the way it turned out," NPAC convener Theja Therieh told 'Nagaland Page' over phone.

He said, "It will be erroneous to expect that a meeting convened by a neutral body such as the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) can resolve any difference(s) between the two sides NSCN-IM and NNPG. The job was to bring them together and we have achieved that".

"In fact, this has been my stand from the very beginning. After the talks are over, the ball is in the court of the Government of India. It should now invite leaders of both NSCN-IM and NNPG and ink a final peace pact," Therieh said.

Answering questions, he maintained that, "Essentially there is no personal difference between NNPG and NSCN-IM. In fact, there are no differences which can be resolved between them.....both are on the same page and both are committed to the welfare of Naga people and peace in Nagaland and other states around us. What more does the Government of India want?"

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself should take "positive cognizance of the Kolkata meet".

"The Naga leaders from both sides spoke to each other, shook hands and dined together. So what is delaying the signing of the final agreement?", he said. 

He further said, "It will be futile to hope for any result in the next meeting or a meeting after that.... we have gone through all these meetings. Now, it is time to sign the peace pact. The Kolkata meeting proves there is no serious problem between NNPG and NSCN-IM and hence they should sign the agreement as early as possible".

Therieh, who is also media cell chief of the Nagaland Tribal Council (NTC), said - "The First step should be fixing a date for signing ceremony and the Prime Minister himself should decide about the date. And secondly, it's time for the old guards to pave the way as promised and the elected Assembly also should pave the way".

The NSCN(IM) and NNPG leaders met in Kohima on Oct 17 and Oct 18 but no controversial issues were raised or discussed.

The 'working deliberations' of the Kolkata get together between NNPG and NSCN(IM) on Oct 18 turned into a seminar-type discussion around 'Truth, Mercy, Justice and Peace'.

The "philosophical and meta-physical seminar" was of course anchored by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR).

ends