Govt to keep an eye on NNPG meet with Nagas of Manipur ::: In setback to NSCN-IM, ‘Nagas of Arunachal’ back Kitovi group

Govt to keep an eye on NNPG meet with Nagas of Manipur

New Delhi 

Have all attempts to delay the entire peace process finally failed ?  Impressed by a minor coup staged by N Kitovi Zhimomi-led NNPG in enlisting the backing of Nagas of Arunachal Pradesh, sources say all eyes are now on the umbrella group's meeting with Nagas of Manipur.

The meeting is likely in a day or two, a source said maintaining "certain things are always tough before they are tried, but sincere attempts have to be made".

There will be certain vexing issues between two sides, it is being presumed. The United Naga Council recently said - "What is the hurry now when we have already taken so many years ? Can the Nagas accept it if the Government of India gives anything ?"

Some words and phrases 'what is the hurry' and '....gives anything' are essentially not

in tune with what the NNPG is pursuing the entire process. 

Kitovi himself has said recently - "Our Status paper is clear...Our stand and deal with the Government of India is very open and transparent". The deal and pact will be a win-win situation for all, he had said. 

In what is seen as a setback to the National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Isak-Muivah 

(NSCN-IM) at this critical juncture of Naga peace talks, Nagas of Arunachal Pradesh including women

have decided to back the umbrella organisation led by Kitovi Zhimomi.

"The stake of NSCN-IM on their supposed supremacy over the Naga Political solution 

received a big jolt," says one source.

Sources indicate the decision of influential Naga organisations to back NNPG was a positive

development and it will give a faster momentum to the ongoing efforts to ink a pact for the

Solution.

"All efforts of the ruling coalition (UDA) to prolong the Agreement to get over with elections have

now turned futile," another source remarked. 

The Centre also got an "encouragement" not to delay the signing of the final Peace pact.

The NNPG insiders say earlier within Nagaland, the Nagaland Gaon Burrah Federation, 14 Tribal Bodies, 

Central Nagaland Tribal Council (of Aos, Semas and Lothas) and Nagaland Tribal Council had also 

urged the Centre to sign the agreement on "whatsoever concluded as on October 31, 2019".

 

The Zeliangrong Baudi of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland had endorsed the Settled (Agreed) Position 

between the centre and the Working Committee, NNPG.

Sources maintained that shortly after news spread about Arunachal Pradesh-based organisations deciding to

back NNPG, former CM and UDA chairman T R Zeliang issued a statement saying

"the Indo-Naga Peace talks are at the threshold of a final breakthrough".

ends 

The Naga National Political Groups (NNPG) leaders are jubilant, but the refrain is for caution.

They see the development as a mild setback to the National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) at this critical juncture of Naga peace talks as Nagas of Arunachal Pradesh have decided to back the umbrella organisation led by N. Kitovi Zhimomi.

"It's a jolt...The stake of NSCN-IM on their supposed supremacy over Naga Political solution received a big jolt," says one source.

Arunachal Nagas might have redefined the game !

The Centre got an "encouragement" not to delay the signing of the final Peace pact...it has now no grounds to delay the accord, a source maintained.

Another source, pointing fingers towards the NDPP-led government in Nagaland, said: "All efforts of the ruling coalition to prolong the Agreement to get over with elections have now come a cropper and futile".

A joint statement issued by NNPG and Tirap Changlang Longdeng People's Forum, Tirap Changlang Longdeng Women Association and Tirap Changlang Longdeng Students' Federation says a joint meeting was held on Saturday, June 4, and the Arunachal Nagas have decided to urge the NNPG to usher an 'honourable and acceptable political solution".

"The clarity and transparency on the political and administrative aspects" were also "acknowledged", the statement said.

The statement is signed among others by Zhimomi, Convener, NNPG and Naga leaders from Arunachal Pradesh including N. Changmi, Tuplam Kitnya, and (Mrs) Sengtung Rangsia.

The NNPG insiders say earlier Zeliangrong Baudi of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland had endorsed the Settled (Agreed) Position between GoI and Working Committee, NNPGs.

Within Nagaland, the much respected Nagaland Gaon Burrah Federation, 14 Tribal Bodies, Central Nagaland Tribal Council (of Aos, Semas and Lothas) and Nagaland Tribal Council had also urged the Centre to sign the agreement on "whatsoever concluded as on October 31, 2019".

This development has perhaps made things inch much ahead amid continuous 'objections' to a final agreement by the NSCN-IM on the ground that for it Flag and a separate Constitution are must.

The Centre has categorically rejected the demand. Sources said in fact Union Home

Minister Amit Shah has personally urged Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and seasoned veteran S.C. Jamir to explain to the Naga people that it would be impossible for the centre to negotiate on the issues of flag and Constitution.

Sources close to NNPG have said that as reports of the Pan Naga Hoho and the real intent (as reported by IANS) came to light, the intent of NSCN-IM stands "exposed".

"They want to impose military dictatorship, Nagas now feel deceived," the source said.

The reference is to the reports that the Pan Naga Hoho as proposed by NSCN-IM, claims that 'Chairman' would be the most powerful authority who can suspend a death sentence issued by a court of law and who shall become the executive head as well the Supreme Commander of Nagalim.

Sources have cautioned that such a move is totally "dictatorial and for one-man rule".

"If things are accepted as it is, the Chairman of the proposed Pan Naga Hoho will become as powerful as Xi Jinping in China or Russian ruler Vladimir Putin," a source told IANS.