(NNPG leader cautions that going back to jungles if 23-year-old peace talks failis no alternative)
New Delhi:
Admiration and Brickbats are two first ingredients - 'A and B' in a politician's life.But the latest appreciation from a rebel Naga leader for Prime Minister Narendra Modi has its own essence.
N Kitovi Zhimomi, the convener of seven groups umbrella body Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), has lately hailed Narendra Modi's visionary leadership and determination to resolve country's one of the oldest insurgency problem - the Naga issue - and lead the state towards a new roadmap of lasting peace and development.
"Mr Modi has many qualities of a young Naga - a dreamer and who will take a firm
decision to achieve that dream," Zhimomi said in a statement.
In this context, he further said: "We ought to appreciate the fact that the Modi government
took a few firm decisions".
His reference was to the August 3rd, 2015 Framework Agreement inked by peace interlocutor R N Ravi with NSCN(IM) during the last days of Late Isak Chishi Swu (former chairman of NSCN-IM) and the 2017 'Agreed Position' signed with NNPG.
These were clear testimonies to the Prime Minister's "sincerity and a determined mind", says Zhimomi. The emphatic statement makes a lot of sense as the NNPGs have moved forward in peace parleys and the conglomeration of seven groups is ready to ink a peace pact with the Government of India at the earliest.
In fact, Zhimomi has also said that - "We (Govt of India and NNPG) have touched, negotiated, sorted out and documented all negotiated points for posterity...... we are confident and prepared to sign the Indo-Naga Agreement anyday and anytime".
Nagaland has experienced enough of violence, clashes and turmoil. Thus if there is a crystal clear emphasis on peace and development, it only reflects people's wish and ardent desire.
The Naga history since 1947 and also since 1963 – when statehood was granted – has been violent and marred by killings of thousands of people including a huge number of footsoldiers – the Naga underground guerillas or militants.
Thus, there is a lot of merit in what Kitovi Zhimomi has tried to underline.
“Does long time confrontation amongst ourselves (clashes between various groups) and with the Indian army and authorities smack of selfishness of some sections? This is my concern,” he says underlining another crucial factor that an influential section is keen to sabotage the progress in peace talks.
The peace parleys had started in the 1990s 'informally' during the tenure of PV Narasimha Rao as the Prime Minister and later 'formally' after ceasefire during the stint of I K Gujral in August 1997.
The status quo now - between 1997 and 2020 - suits some sections including a powerful section of Naga overground politicians.
Therefore, there is 'concern' that some kind of selfishness is trying to deprive any fresh settlement.
Zhimomi has also tried to articulate that - “This concern is definitely shared by many common Naga people who have sacrificed a lot in the last three decades and more".
“…we ought to act. It is time to act for the restoration of peace in our land," he underlines.
Certainly, the ongoing Naga peace talks have reached a critical and advanced stage.
It is also presumed that the Prime Minister has set a deadline of September 2020 to finalize
a comprehensive peace accord.
In a crucial development, the ruling alliance in the state comprising the NDPP, the BJP and Independent legislators has welcomed the initiative of the Government of India to “resume the Indo-Naga political dialogue.”
A statement issued in Kohima said, the ruling combine and the state government will continue to play the role of an active facilitator in order to create an atmosphere that is “conducive to the realization and successful landing of the political solution”.
'Go with Doval factor' :
That essentially means the present state government and legislators would 'step aside' if necessary to ensure the rebel groups come forward to participate in the 'power sharing process'. This formula had worked successfully in Mizoram when the Late Laldenga-led MNF had come forward and inked a peace deal with the Rajiv Gandhi
government.
Some former intelligence officials who worked in Mizoram are now involved in the Naga peace process too.
Ajit Doval, Prime Minister's trusted National Security Advisor, was then a key player in Mizoram.
Late Laldenga later said Doval as IB officer had 'infiltrated into the Mizo National Front's camp in the Arakans in Burma' and could befriend with six of his military commanders and that had finally led to signing the Mizoram accord.
Doval is again a key player in Naga matters and the incumbent state Governor R N Ravi was understandably picked up by him to be Modi's peace emissary in 2014.
All these suggest that the Modi government is heading towards a big announcement.
"All the prophets of doom would be proved wrong," an insider said in confidence indicating that despite media hype of committing some lapses, the peace parleys are on track.
Therefore, now the Government is working on ground on the 'modalities' for surrender of weapons and rehabilitation of the armed cadres.
Even the channel of communication with the NSCN(IM) is on despite some differences.
Of course, the development and economic packages are also being worked on.There are chances of two possible autonomous councils - one each in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
If necessary the community leaders of various Naga tribal Hohos and influential bodies like Gaon Bura Federation (of village elders) will also be called to part of the grand signing ceremony. Prime Minister's Office in Delhi is reportedly against 'any further' delay in the matter.
Home Minister Amit Shah is also on board taking the services of Assam-based leader Himanta Biswa Sarma to ensure that Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur state governments are also kept in the loop.
After the 2019 polls, the Prime Minister had given his nod and almost a deadline to sign the agreement with the Naga rebel groups by October 31 last year.
On the other hand, there is an argument that if talks fail, one or two factions of Naga militants can revive insurgency with the help of their operatives in China, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
NNPG leader Zhimomi cautions about such a situation too.
“The general notion that is infused into the Naga Society is that ‘If the talks fail, we go back to jungles’. This is easier said. The resultant of this move would be disastrous to our Naga brothers and their families,” he said.
“Should we continue to shed blood?,” the Naga rebel leader said stressing in favour of a lasting solution and peace.
ends
Nagaland Governor RN Ravi, who is also interlocutor for Naga peace negotiations made a few candid points:
ON THE OCCASION OF 74th INDEPENDENCE DAY, he issued a three-page statement and made veiled attack on the NSCN(IM) and also the NDPP-BJP regime headed by Neiphiu Rio.
The waves of positive transformation and growth is
sweeping all parts of the Country. The North-East India, which was until some
years back was known for endemic insurgencies, is fast transforming in incredible
ways. North East is emerging as an economic hub and is bracing to play a
pivotal role in India’s Act East Policy.
The region is emerging as a
destination of choice by the investors from the rest of the country and the
world who until recently were wary of even looking towards North East. The
impressive changes for the better are quite visible in the neighboring States
of the region.
Regrettably the waves of positive change and growth
seem to have been bypassing our State, Nagaland.
"Nagaland is the 16th State of the Indian Union, the second oldest State in the North East. It is endowed with one of the finest of human and natural resources. For quite some decades since its birth it raced ahead of several other States in the region despite odds. Unfortunately today it has the dubious distinction of the worst performing State in the Country including the North-East region on almost all the significant indicators of Human Development," the Governor said and obviously no Governor in office can issue such a statement on his own state.
This also indicates his ties with Chief Minister Rio has reached the level of no looking back. But more importantly, does Ravi, who works closely with Ajit Doval, enjoys central government's backing in doing so.
In what is seen is his attack on NSCN(IM) headed by Thuingaleng Muivah, Ravi says: "Incongruously a deeply entrenched network of vested interests has emerged during the period (peace period since 1997) which has misappropriated the dividends of Peace and did not allow them to reach the people.
There is mass scale mayhem and miscarriage of dreams and expectations of the people of Nagaland."
It is unendurable and unacceptable."
"Investment climate in Nagaland is worrisome. We need to build investment friendly eco-system so as to encourage investors from outside and within the State to have sufficient confidence to set up enterprises.
Unfortunately Government job is the main source of employment and economy is largely based on salaries of Government servants. Even our agriculture and horticulture sectors which are the mainstay of our State’s economy are in distress. We have to encourage and incentivise entrepreneurship.
Ironically relative decline is more obvious during the recent decades. When the security forces and the Naga armed groups agreed to suspend operations against each other paving the way for political settlement, the legitimate expectation of the people of Nagaland was dividends of peace – freedom from fear of guns, better health, better education, better infrastructure, better livelihood opportunities, an atmosphere to dream and an eco-system to pursue their dreams."
At one point, he said:
Our human resource, which is our most precious
asset, crucial to fulfill the Naga dreams and aspirations is on steady decline.
Some 25% of our Children are not enrolled in the Schools and 60% of our youth
have not seen High School. Literacy in Nagaland may be technically over 80%, in
reality, those who have not even been to High School cannot be called
functionally literate. One wonders what positive contribution they can make to
their family, their village, their community and the State.
Despite the highest
pupil-teacher ratio in the State as compared to the rest of the Country, the
drop-out and failure rates in Government Schools are alarming. Absence of
internet connectivity and Information Communication Technology facility in
majority of our schools is holding back our youth in the global race for
progress. It has made online teaching, specially in COVID-19 situation,
impossible, pushing them further behind. Investment climate in
Nagaland is worrisome.
He further said: "When the security forces and the Naga armed groups agreed to suspend operations against each other paving the way for political settlement, the legitimate expectation of the people of Nagaland was dividends of peace – freedom from fear of guns, better health, better education, better infrastructure, better livelihood opportunities, an atmosphere to dream and an eco-system to pursue their dreams".
In India’s grand march forward, Nagaland cannot be left behind.
The people of Nagaland have their natural right of a dignified future. For this we will have to build and strengthen institutions of accountability, justice and fair play.
We will have to break the vice – like grip of the vicious circle of the network of vested interests and make way for the virtuous circle of peace, prosperity and happiness for our people.
But he hastens to add - "This cannot be achieved by Government alone. In this endeavor, we need the co-operation of the two million people of Nagaland. I have deep and abiding faith in the inherent goodness and capability of our people.
Together we will do it. God bless my people of Nagaland.
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| Guv Ravi |
Rio-led ruling alliance in Nagaland flay Governor
While taking note on the concern of the people on Governor’s Independence Day speech, the PDA passed a resolution said the state may not be the best performing state, however asserted that it is making every effort to take the State forward on all developmental fronts. It further said as representatives of the people, the PDA is compelled to voice the feelings of the people.
"The People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) has taken note of the people's concern of the Honourable Governor's Independence Day speech wherein negative statements on Nagaland were made. The PDA observes that the speech has not been well received by the people".
The resolution signed by NDPP President Chingwang Konyak and State BJP President Temjen Imna Along stated that the meeting reiterated its support to the peace initiative and will continue to play the role of an active facilitator in order to create an atmosphere that is conducive to the realization and successful landing of the political solution.
The PDA said that the initiative of the Central Government to resume the dialogue in all seriousness will pave the way for peace, progress and all round development.
'74th Naga Independence Day' Message of Ato Kilonser, N Kitovi Zhimomi, GPRN/NSCN(Convenor of NNPGs)
The majestic mountains and hills, sandwiched between India and Myanmar, the home of indigenous Nagas for thousands of years is purposefully created by Almighty God and given to Nagas. No power on earth can usurp or deprive the Naga people of the historical and political right over their ancestral Land. There is no ambiguity in this truth!
On 14th of August, 1947, We Nagas under the political roof of NNC declared our Independence from the British, a day ahead of India. This was a political necessity because despite rendering great service with utmost loyalty to Great Britain in both the first and the second World Wars, Nagas realised that the Britishers were leaving occupied Nagas homeland at the mercy of chaotic Indian subcontinent which was struggling to stand on its own feet; that Great Britain left the occupied Naga areas to fend for themselves with no political future or structure was unacceptable and unthinkable to the politically conscious Nagas.
The nationalists under the leadership of NNC merged both British occupied areas and free Naga areas to become one political entity. Thus, the spirit and essence of Naga nationhood was complete.
On this auspicious day, I remember the thousands of Naga freedom fighters, the pioneering visionary leaders and followers over the decades, many of whom are buried in unmarked graves in foreign lands. I salute them all. We will recommit ourselves to the task of fulfilling their vision.
Today, every Naga knows who we are and how our people sacrificed and suffered in the bitter past for more than seven decades. Past must help the Nagas move forward not drag the Nagas into abyss. It is time to collectively plan a better future for our younger generation. Let us be practical and lay the first bricks for future Nagas.
Naga generations must be given a space to grow and compete with the best in the world. We cannot burden our young men and women with monotonous fairy tale stories that satisfies one’s ego only.
We must equip them with practical lessons to help them shape their own future with appropriate political structure in place. Honourable and acceptable Indo-Naga political solution is the only answer.
On the 17th of Nov. 2017, the WC, NNPGs and GOI, to which the GPRN/NSCN is an integral partner, signed the ‘Agreed Position’which entrenched the political and historical rights of the Nagas to self determine their future in consonance with their distinct identity. It was agreed that the Nagas and Indians would work out the details of a relationship based on inclusive,enduring peaceful co-existence with due regard to contemporary political realities.
Based on this “Agreed principle” all contentious issues have been negotiated and resolved in principle. WC, NNPGs and GOI talks was never kept inside a cold storage at any point of time.
With utmost confidence and trust, all apex Naga tribal bodies, GBs, Legislators, intellectual groups were on board and proved to be a constant source of strength. The status paper is with our apex Naga civil societies and it will exist for a thousand years. WC had the courage to listen to the people and pursue practical approach to resolve the Indo-Naga issue.
The solidarity and people’s participation in the entire process allowed the WC to focus on every fiber and thread of Indo- Naga issue.
We have touched, negotiated, sorted out and documented all negotiated points for posterity. With great humility and gratefulness to our merciful Almighty God, we are confident and prepared to sign the Indo-Naga Agreement anyday and anytime.
Our people’s solidarity is deeply felt.
I acknowledge the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister of India Mr Narendra Modi, who showed genuine commitment and urgency to resolve the protracted political conflict and entrusted GOI interlocutor in the Indo-Naga political talks, Mr. R.N Ravi to sign the historic ‘Agreed Position’ with WC, NNPGs, representing the Nagas on 17th Nov.2017.
After more than fifty rounds in three years, negotiations have concluded with unresolved matters to be pursued and settled through democratic political process. With this clear positive direction taking place, the Naga people look forward to entering a new era of enduring peaceful co-existence.
In His supreme wisdom, just like the tribes of Israel, Almighty Jehovah planted each Naga tribe in a well defined landscape to call its own, to nurture, dwell upon, progress and strengthen the fabric of Naga brotherhood. This helped the Nagas to pursue our common political aspiration, understanding and respecting the dynamics of each tribe’s culture,tradition and ownership of lands among brothers.Nagas were divided through political instruments into different states in Burma and India, this is a historical fact. Each Naga tribe has a demarcated territory; this is also a historical truth.
To forego and deviate from these simple yet complex unwritten rules will be disturbing the traditional and customary equilibrium amongst us. As we defend our land from occupational forces, the same principle is applicable in respect of each other’s inheritance within the Naga family. This is our unique history.
I thank the leadership of all Naga Tribal Hohos, Gaon Buras, Churches and Naga public at large, for the unwavering solidarity towards the common cause. I also congratulate the decisive leadership of Naga political groups namely, NSCN(Reformation), NNC/FGN, NNC (Parent Body), NNC/NPGN, NNC/GDRN, NSCN/GPRN (Khango/Isak), and the Co-Conveners of WC for upholding the covenant of the Naga people through co-operation and comradeship.
I am confident that Almighty God will take us all through the perilous journey. We will not fail the Naga people this time.
If God is for us, who can be against us?
God Bless Nagaland!
For obvious reasons, this is a * Disclaimer. The opinion and viewpoints of Kitovi here do not necessarily reflect the beliefs and viewpoints of the blogger
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