#Nagaland Governor #JagdishMukhi ... echoes RN Ravi says ---
"We must eliminate illicit gangs and guns and institutionalised corruption from the state".
"In the story of India’s resurgence, Nagaland cannot be left behind," said Guv Mukhi in his customary address on the eve of Independence Day.
"Our State is rich in natural and human resources. Being at the gateway of the South-East Asia offers us unique geo-economic opportunities. In order to make a glorious Nagaland we must prioritise developing our most precious human resource which unfortunately has suffered a relative decline in recent decades".
The Governor said - "We have to build robust and equitable health and education sectors to ensure healthy, skilled and well educated citizenry. We have to build modern connectivity infrastructures – both physical and digital. We have to build a healthy ecosystem of investment and entrepreneurship".
"We must eliminate illicit gangs and guns and institutionalised corruption from the State," he said virtually echoing former Governor R N Ravi, who had developed differences with Chief Minister Neiphiu Ro after he raked up the issue of corruption and nefarious ways of making money by various ultra groups.
Ravi is now Governor of Tamil Nadu.
Addressing to "dear youths of Nagaland", he said they are the future of the State and the Country.
"The Country and the World is changing at an unprecedented fast pace. We are in the age of Artificial Intelligence where change is happening at an unimaginable speed. Your march into the future has to keep pace with the change around and it cannot be by looking into the rear-view mirror".
Maintaining strong emotional and cultural bonds with the custom, tradition and identity and overcoming the narcissism of minor differences, "you have to race ahead keeping pace with time, technology and contemporary realities", the Governor emphasised.
Some Naga leaders have said - "Take it or leave it" vis-a-vis the peace talks !!
In 1985, the Rajiv Gandhi government had signed a pact with agitating Assam students at the wee hours around 3 am on August 15.
Rajiv later disclosed about the agreement during his Red Fort speech and the rest is history as that created a political party AGP -- chiefly made out of student leaders including P K Mahanta -- who later became Assam Chief Minister.
Will Modi take a leaf out of Rajiv's page
"Ball is in the court of Govt of #India to make the right move....", says #NSCN IM general secretary #Muivah....says "we see no meaning in the ceasefire that does not embark upon political negotiation. We see no meaning in negotiation if it does not deliver #Solution". #Nagaland
IANS story
Link
Stalled 'Naga talks', bitterness: All eyes on PM Modi's I-Day speech
New Delhi
The 15th of August is just a few hours away. A sense of mixed feeling
including pessimism has dawned on Naga people and sections of public leaders, civil societies and
also 'well wishers' of the valiant community in northeast longing for a lasting peace.
Amid these, all eyes are on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech
from the ramparts of Red Fort on Monday morning.
The 'delay malady' to arrive at a solution 'continues' and the Solution to the 25 year peace negotiations
that was launched in 1997 now remains elusive. More importantly, the August 15th deadline as suggested
in more ways than one including by BJP leaders is now knocking at the doors; but nobody is sure what is at the
end of the tunnel.
Yet, some Naga leaders and representatives of civil societies have not given up hopes.
Matching their confidence and trust, reportedly the Government of India has assured some
'genuine and committed' peace workers among Naga leaders that things would be 'workable' and
a Solution to the long pending Naga problem is therefore not far off.
Some civil society Naga leaders have 'got in touch' with the Government of
India and they have been counseled not to give up 'optimism'.
"Nagas are fighters and brave and hence, let us not give up the sense of optimism. Let's wait for
brighter things...," one informed source said.
A public rally was organised on Aug 5 in Dimapur where various social organisations including village
elders' body (Gaon Burrah Federation) and community leaders pressed for Solution "at the earliest".
The official stance of the Government of India is that issues of Naga Flag and a separate Constitution were
not on the agenda and cannot be negotiated. The formal talks were over in October 2019, but no substantial
progress could be made because the NSCN-IM and its leader Thuingaleng Muivah have raised the bogies
of Flag and Constitution as 'afterthought'.
On Sunday, August 14, NSCN-IM leader Muivah stated in his statement that
"The Ball is in the court of Govt of India to make the right move...."; and went on to add - "We see no meaning in the ceasefire that does not embark upon political negotiation. We see no meaning in negotiation if it does not deliver Solution".
 |
| Young students in Nagaland do not fail 'India' |
Muivah referred to August 3, 2015 Framework Agreement inked by him and the then negotiator R N Ravi (present Tamil Nadu Governor) and said - "We have endured 25 years of gruelling ceasefire ....We have also waited patiently for seven long years (since 2015)".
Muivah's strategy has been to put the ball in the Government of India's court; but those in the know of things in Delhi maintain that the fact is the hardline posturing on Flag and a separate Constitution have stalled the peace process.
Sources in Delhi are, however, optimistic that a Solution to the Naga problem is 'workable'.
Reportedly, important stakeholders are in touch with 'each other' and also some Naga militant leaders
were advised or 'invited' for a cup of tea with senior army officials both at Kohima and Rangapahar
near Dimapur.
But another source claimed there has been 'no formal or informal channels'
between the Government of India and NSCN-IM for the last 90 days or so.
"We are trying to connect the dots. To make a garland you need the finer work at the last moment," the source said.
But for its part, the pro-early Solution, NNPG - an umbrella organisation of seven militant groups -
in their August 14 (Naga Independence Day statement) said - "History will remember who wasted 25 years in
fruitless parleys amassing wealth and enriching themselves".
The remarks were targeted at the NSCN-IM role for the 'delay' in arriving at a solution.
"....many Naga leaders have become self-worshippers and too slippery in their utterances, unable to define the
real meaning of Sovereignty, Independence, Integration or Naga identity", NNPG convener, N Kitovi Zhimomi said.
The NNPG leader is also critical of NSCN-IM move to raise the demands for Flag and a separate Constitution months
after Aug 3, 2015 Framework Agreement.
"Apparently, since the Govt of India started negotiations with NNPG, the sudden demand and claim
for Flag and Constitution became necessary (allegedly for NSCN-IM) in order to prolong and sabotage
possible Indo-Naga solution," Kitovi said.
He also made a veiled reference to NSCN-IM's alleged communist tilt as the militant organisation had enlisted
support and training from China in the 1980s.
"Till date, the details of Framework Agreement have been kept away from the Naga people. The bits
and pieces which have come into the public domain points to hegemonic, despotic and diabolic agenda
straight out of the communist rule book," Kitovi said.
The observers say Kitovi is trying to make a strategic move by referring to 'communism' as Nagas known
for their devotion to Christianity are strictly opposed to communism.
Earlier this year, reports surfaced that the NSCN-IM had proposed with the Government of India 'a Pan
Naga' governance system which would probably make the 'chairman' of the militant group more powerful
than any constitutional authority in India and will be virtually at par with the likes of Xi Jinping of China and
Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
The NSCN-IM has, however, denied any such move and the group keeps pushing its slogan 'Nagaland
for Christ'.
The government agencies are treading the path cautiously. Politically, the BJP took a decision last month
making a 'sacrifice' and agreed for a 20:40 seat share in favour of regional partner NDPP.
Incumbent Naga Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is NDPP leader and reportedly he has been asked to
exert influence on the NSCN-IM to come forward for talks 'practically' and ink a solution and final peace pact
at the earliest.
As such this year's August 15 deadline for a Solution pact was indicated among others by Nagaland
deputy chief minister Y Patton. Timing is also running out for BJP as it had promised 'Election for
Solution' in 2018 and now elections are due in the state in February 2023.
In 1985, the Rajiv Gandhi government had signed a pact with agitating Assam students at the wee hours
around 3 am on August 15.
Rajiv later disclosed about the agreement during his Red Fort speech and the rest is history as that created
a political party AGP -- chiefly made out of student leaders including P K Mahanta -- who later became Assam
Chief Minister.
Will Modi take a leaf out of Rajiv's page and at least make a big announcement vis-a-vis Naga peace talks?
Some Naga leaders including regional party NPF leader Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu had made -- "Take it or leave it"
statement vis-a-vis the Naga peace talks earlier this year. BJP leader Patton also had insisted that Solution
should be worked out at the earliest.
ends
No comments:
Post a Comment