New Delhi/Kohima
This is being called the 'unprecedented' displaying of the true spirit of 'facilitators' for bringing an end to the vexed and long pending Naga political issue.
In a major development, the Nagaland government on Wednesday made a specific progress in terms of giving a push to 'early solution and agreement' to the long pending Naga insurgency problem.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio of NDPP, Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton of BJP and chairman of the ruling combine T R Zeliang, a former CM and NPF leader, said all concerned matters and negotiations vis-a-vis Naga peace talks have ended on Oct 31, 2019 and thus there is no much gainsay in raising issues like separate Naga flag and constitution.
Sources said at the meeting, Chief Minister Rio said, "If solution is not arrived at and a peace pact is not inked, it will be difficult to hold next year's elections in Nagaland".
N Kitovi Zhimomi, convener of NNPG, talking to this journalist in his Dimapur residence, welcomed the "unprecedented meeting" held on Wednesday.
"I am glad the wisdom has been displayed by the Nagaland government and the state cabinet. This meeting will have a salutary impact in putting things on fast track," said Zhimomi, whose umbrella organisation NNPG has inked a Preamble Pact with the Government of India on Nov 17, 2017.
Sources also said that one leader told the meeting of Naga leaders and major social and voluntary organisations including Gaon Bura Federation, students bodies, Naga Global Forum and Naga Hoho that the state government and the Nagaland legislature are not authorized to speak on matters beyond the Indian constitution and what is defined and legitimate under the powers of the state government.
The crucial Consultative Meeting of Naga Tribal Hohos, political parties, church organisations, mass based civil societies was convened by the state government.
Chief Minister Rio, Deputy CM Patton and former Chief Minister T R Zeliang are expected to reach Delhi on Thursday to brief the central leaders on the 'outcome' of today's deliberations.
The Budget session of Parliament resumes on March 14 and the Home Ministry wanted
all concerned information on table before resumption of the parliament session.
The leader was responding to specific queries made by some leaders and participants at the meeting that 'why' Naga leaders outside Nagaland (in states such as Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam) and also in Myanmar were not called for today's consultative meeting.
The urgent call for a Solution and Final Agreement is a significant development as Nagaland will go to the assembly polls by Feb 2023.
It is understood that the concerned parties especially the government of India was waiting to wrap up the just held elections in Manipur before taking a final call to announce a formal peace agreement. Substantial Naga population especially Tangkhul Nagas of rebel leader Thuinelang Muivah reside in Manipur.
an eminent leader and a representative of Senior Citizens Forum said, the issues like pan-Nagaland and separate constitution were "irrelevant matters" vis-a-vis the ongoing peace parleys that got underway in 1997.
The resolution adopted said among other things - "The people are yearning for an early
political solution. The negotiating parties should earnestly heed to this call and arrive at a political solution that is honourable, inclusive, transparent and acceptable to the people.
The House further appeals to all sections to make renewed efforts towards unity and understanding in order to work towards One Solution and One Agreement".
In fact, the BJP's election manifesto in 2018 assembly polls had pledged to work for a final peace pact and the theme slogan was Election for Solution.
Nagaland BJP state unit president Imna Along also reminded the gathering that his party is committed to 'deliver' the solution as was promised in 2018.
The NNPG, the umbrella organisation of various Naga groups operating in Nagaland,
on Tuesday had urged the Nagaland state government to focus on 'governance' and leave the matters related to Naga peace talks to the negotiating parties - that is the centre and the NNPG.
"The state government may focus on Nagaland state issues and governance. The subject
of Naga political issue is best left to the Government of India and the Naga negotiators, mandated by the people to usher in honourable and acceptable political solution at the
earliest," the working committee of NNPG said in their statement.
ends
(Nirendra Dev is a senior journalist and author of books 'The Taking Guns : North East India' and 'Modi to Moditva : An Uncensored Truth')
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Nirendra Dev
New Delhi
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