New Delhi/Kohima
This is being called the 'unprecedented' display of the true spirit
of 'facilitators' by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and his team.
The mega push is aimed at bringing an end to the vexed and long
pending Naga political issue.
"My government will support any move that is aimed at achieving lasting peace and political settlement," the Chief Minister said at the Consultative meeting
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 will be reaching Delhi on Thursday, March 10 to brief the central
leaders on the 'outcome' of today's deliberations.
"They will meet central ministers especially Home Minister Amit Shah," Planning and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Neiba Kronu told reporters at Kohima after the meeting.
The Budget session of Parliament resumes on March 14 and the Union Home
Ministry reportedly wanted all concerned information on table before resumption of the parliament session, sources said.
There were, of course, specific queries made at the meeting by some participants 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.
It was emphasised by the state government representatives and others at Wednesday's meeting that there is no much gainsay in raising issues like separate Naga flag, pan-Naga Hoho and separate constitution.
Sources also said it was made clear at the meeting of Naga leaders and major social and voluntary organisations, including Gaon Bura Federation, student bodies, Naga Global Forum and Naga Hoho, that the state government and the Nagaland legislature 'are not authorised' to speak on matters beyond the Indian Constitution and what is defined and legitimate under the powers of the state government.
The urgent call for a Solution and Final Agreement before elections in Nagaland is a significant development as the state will go to the assembly polls by Feb 2023 along with Tripura and Meghalaya.
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 Thuingelang Muivah reside in Manipur.
An eminent leader and a representative of Senior Citizens Forum also reportedly said,
the issues like pan-Naga Hoho and separate flag and constitution were "irrelevant matters" at this juncture vis-a-vis the ongoing peace parleys that got underway in 1997.
Chief Minister Rio in his spirited speech said, "Nagas want to make greater contributions towards the nation building process and emerge as a state and a people that strengthens Indian democracy".
The resolution adopted and signed by Rio, Deputy CM Patton and former
CM T R Zeliang 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 during elections in 2018.
The NNPG, the umbrella organisation of various Naga groups operating
in Nagaland, on Tuesday had mounted pressure on the Nagaland state government and had specifically urged it to focus on 'governance' and leave the matters related to Naga peace talks to the negotiating parties - that is the centre and the negotiators.
"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.
NNPG convener N. Kitovi Zhimomi when contacted told this journalist on Wednesday that it was an "unprecedented meeting" and the deliberations must be welcomed.
"I am glad that 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 had inked a Preamble Pact with the Government of India on November 17, 2017.
In the press conference, Kronu, who chaired the meeting said, "Every one wants early solution....".
"Today's meeting was well attended, it must be one of the highest intellectual gatherings," he said.
During Feb 16 election speech at Senapati in Manipur too, Rio had
pressed for early solution. "I want a solution because that will bring
a new hope for the youth, the students and for the future," Rio had
said.
Answering questions, Kronu said, it is true Naga underground leaders are 'negotiating', but it is also true that "we all are stakeholders, we are we are facilitators....but we are serious
about that because for how long we will continue (read with the stalemate)".
He justified the push for early solution now saying to insist on such a demand only on the eve of elections would be "too late".
ends
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