Nagas take to streets demanding 'early Solution', flay move for 2023 polls
Hundreds of Naga peace demonstrators including village elders, women and youths took to the streets at commercial hub, Dimapur, in Nagaland on Friday, Aug 5, demanding an early settlement of the Naga political issue.
IANS live
Naga traders and public leaders insist that only an early political solution would take out Nagaland from the menace-like grip of the extortions - which are called 'taxation' by armed Naga groups.
Demonstrators carried placards reading 'We Want Solution, not Election' and 'Political Talk cannot be Indefinite'.
The rally was called by Naga People's Action Committee - a non-political community-based organisation floated with the initiative of the civil societies and Nagaland Gaon Burrah (Village Elders' Federation).
Various chambers of commerce and the Dimapur District Citizens’ Forum also extended support to the rally
wherein speakers called for an early solution to the Naga issue and to bring a logical end to the 25-year-old
negotiations.
The Naga peace negotiations formally began in August 1997 between the potent insurgent group NSCN-IM and the Centre during the stint of I K Gujral as the Prime Minister.
Officials say the talks have been completed by Oct 31, 2019; however, raising the bogies of Flag and a separate Naga constitution by the NSCN-IM leadership headed by Thuingaleng Muivah have stalled the talks.
In state capital Kohima and other towns like rural pockets of Shamatore, Phek and Mokokchung kept their business establishments closed during the rally period.
The NPAC organised the rally to put pressure on the stakeholders, the Government of India and Naga armed groups.
The NPAC has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Narendra Modi calling for an early solution to the Naga political issue.
The letter said - "the public rally (of Aug 5) urges upon the Government of India to "implement the concluded political negotiations" and arrive at a solution "without any further delay".
"Unresolved Naga issue has produced countless scoundrels and thieves and in the name of political issues, threats and intimidation have stifled the growth of the Naga society; which you assured would be a vibrant one", the communique said.
It also said - "The rally is a firm signal to the Government of India that the people of Nagaland will welcome
the solution and uphold it under any circumstances."
The letter is signed by NPAC convener ThejaTherie, co-convener Shikuto Zalipu and
and K Imkhung.
Shikuto Zalipu of GB Federation said that in 2018 also the BJP and the central government had
promised an 'early solution' and so nearly five years since then - it is time the Government of
India delivers peace and solution at the earliest.
An umbrella group of Naga insurgent groups operating within the state of Nagaland - NNPG - led
by N Kitovi Zhimomi is keen for an early signing of a final peace pact.
While NSCN-IM and the Centre have inked a Framework Agreement on Aug 3, 2015; two years later on
Nov 17,2017, the NNPG and the government of India have signed an Agreed Position.
Since the last few months several top Naga leaders including BJP's floor leader in the assembly and deputy Chief
Minister Y Patton have given strong indications that a final peace pact will probably be inked by August 15, 2022.
While NSCN-IM and the Centre have inked a Framework Agreement on Aug 3, 2015; two years later on Nov 17,2017,
the NNPG and the government of India have signed an Agreed Position.
Since the last few months several top Naga leaders including BJP's floor leader in the assembly and deputy Chief
Minister Y Patton has given strong indications that a final peace pact will probably be inked by August 15, 2022.
"It was a significant announcement by a senior BJP leader. The BJP-led NDA government headed by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi should now walk the talk and give Nagas the much sought after Peace and Solution,"
a spokesman of NPAC told IANS.
“We have maintained that the people on the ground want a solution and are preparing to create a clear passage for
smooth landing of Peace and Solution to the Nagas,” he said.
However, the rally organisers have charged the incumbent Neiphiu Rio government and the NDPP-BJP-NPF coalition
regime of 'betraying' the cause by ditching solutions in favour of elections.
Polls are due in Nagaland by February-March 2023 along with Tripura and Meghalaya. The two coalition partners NDPP
and BJP have on July 26 kicked off the political and electoral process among themselves by signing a seat sharing
agreement.
The NPAC leaders have stated that the 40:20 seat share deal between NDPP of Neiphiu Rio and the BJP was not
acceptable to the people in general at this juncture.
One NPAC leader said - "The seat share pact indicated that Chief Minister Rio is looking forward to the 2023 election.
Chief Minister Rio cannot be allowed to jeopardise Solution for his self-interest".
The pro-Solution NNPG has also blasted the NDPP-BJP deal and of course there were some initial signs of
dissension among the rank and file of BJP in Nagaland. Even the Deputy Chief Minister Patton had initially opposed
the seat sharing agreement of July 26 saying he was not consulted.
The seat share pact was announced after Chief Minister Rio held a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah
in Parliament premises in Delhi on July 26 in presence of Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Medozhatuo Rutsa, president of Kohima Chamber of Commerce & Industry, has said that an early Naga political
solution "will herald in peace, economic progress and will more importantly
fathom out the predicament of taxation".
Notably, 'Taxation' is a major social and economic mess in Nagaland which in effect means rampant extortion by various
armed Naga militant groups.
In the past, some armed groups have spoken in favour of such practice saying there ought to be 'taxes' on the people.
Security officials have termed these as illegal and even recommended actions lately.
Theja Therie, NPAC convener, also has said that - "No business is progressing in Nagaland while government offices
are busy collecting money and paying out to national workers...why should Naga people remain under the shadow of
someone who cannot bring solution".
His references were obliquely to the NSCN-IM leadership, the state authorities and also the Government of India.
Many say when the NNPG opposed the BJP-NDPP seat share pact, it actually reflected the group's lack of
confidence in the present arrangement in the state for taking the peace process forward.
ends
The Naga People's Action Committee is a letter to PM Narendra Modi, dated Aug 5, 2022 says - "Unresolved Naga issue has produced countless scoundels and thieves and in the name of political issue, threats and intimidation have stifled the growth Naga society; which you assured would be a vibrant one".
Hundreds of Naga peace demonstrators including village elders, women and youths took to the streets at commercial hub, Dimapur, in Nagaland on Friday, Aug 5, demanding an early settlement of the Naga political issue.
Kekonchim Yimkhiung. Co-Convener. If GOI cannot bring the solution to logical conclusion at the earliest, than leave the Nagas alone
There is intense clamour for lasting Peace and solution to the vexed political issue in Nagaland.
The Naga People's Action Committee (NPAC) has called for a crucial Public Rally at Dimapur on Friday, August 5, wherein leaders of all Naga tribes, influential pressure groups and community leaders even from various non-tribal and non-Naga communities including Bengalis, Bhojpuris and Punjabis would seek an early solution to the Naga issue and the 25-year-old protracted negotiations
between ultras and the centre.
Will Nagaland enter into an era of Peace, Solution and jubilation on 75th year of India's Independence ?
"There has to be a Naga solution. 25 years of negotiation is called mockery. Let's have some self-respect," the organisers said in an announcement explaining the 'reasons' for the rally.
It has been also asserted: "If you carry tribalism as a badge of honour, please stay at home".
Hundreds of volunteers and the general public will carry placards reading among other things - 'Indo-Naga political issue is people's issue', 'We want Solution not Election' and 'Civil Societies Real Stakeholders'.
The Naga peace negotiations formally began in August 1997 between the potent insurgent group NSCN-IM and the Centre during the stint of I K Gujral as the Prime Minister.
Officials say the talks have completed by Oct 31, 2019; however, raising the bogies of Flag and a separate Naga constitution by the NSCN-IM leadership headed by Thuingaleng Muivah have stalled the talks.
However, an umbrella group of Naga insurgent groups operating within the state of Nagaland - NNPG - led
by N Kitovi Zhimomi is keen for an early signing of a final peace pact.
While NSCN-IM and the Centre have inked a Framework Agreement on Aug 3, 2015; two years later on Nov 17,2017,
the NNPG and the government of India have signed an Agreed Position.
Since the last few months several top Naga leaders including BJP's floor leader in the assembly and deputy Chief
Minister Y Patton have given strong indications that a final peace pact will probably be inked by August 15, 2022.
"It was a significant announcement by a senior BJP leader. The BJP-led NDA government headed by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi should now walk the talk and give Nagas the much sought after Peace and Solution," a spokesman of NPAC said.
“We have maintained that the people on the ground want a solution and are preparing to create a clear passage for
smooth landing of Peace and Solution to the Nagas,” he said.
In a statement, the Nagaland People's Action Committee (NPAC) has urged Prime Minister Modi and the Government of India to demonstrate 'political will' to deliver on its promises with regard to the Naga political solution.
“The NPAC constituted by the CSOs and Tribal Hohos representing the people shall work towards this consensus and pursue an early Naga Political solution. We anticipate full support of the Tribal Hohos, CSOs and the Parliamentary Committee of Nagaland to extend its unflinching support towards the common cause and stand firm on people’s voice so that the people in authority will not take us for a ride,” the release stated.
However, the rally organisers have charged the incumbent Neiphiu Rio government and the NDPP-BJP-NPF coalition regime of 'betraying' the cause by ditching solutions in favour of elections.
Polls are due in Nagaland by February-March 2023 along with Tripura and Meghalaya. The two coalition partners NDPP
and BJP have on July 26 kicked off the political and electoral process among themselves by signing a seat sharing
agreement.
The NPAC leaders have stated that the 40:20 seat share deal between NDPP of Neiphiu Rio and the BJP was not
acceptable to the people in general at this juncture.
One NPAC leader said - "The seat share pact indicated that Chief Minister Rio is looking forward to the 2023 election. Chief Minister Rio cannot be allowed to jeopardise Solution for his self-interest".
The pro-Solution NNPG has also blasted the NDPP-BJP deal and of course there were some initial signs of
dissension among the rank and file of BJP in Nagaland. Even the Deputy Chief Minister Patton had initially opposed
the seat sharing agreement of July 26 saying he was not consulted.
The seat share pact was announced after Chief Minister Rio held a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah
in Parliament premises in Delhi on July 26 in presence of Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
A section of BJP leaders in Nagaland have said that Sarma should not have interfered in 'pure political' matters
of Nagas and the seat share formula if at all ought to be finalised by BJP and NDPP leaders either in Delhi or
in Kohima/Dimapur.
All district chambers of commerce will put their shutters down on Thursday, August in favour of the rally.
Medozhatuo Rutsa, president of Kohima Chamber of Commerce & Industry, has urged traders and shopkeepers
to stand in solidarity support to "Shutter Down" on 5th August 2022 during the rally hours i.e. 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
called by Nagaland People's Action Committee (NPAC).
"We earnestly request all the trading communities to be a part of this necessitating enactment by sacrificing 2 hours
of one's business for early Naga political solution which will herald in peace, economic progress and will more importantly
fathom out the predicament of taxation," he said.
'Taxation' is a major social and economic mess in Nagaland which in effect means rampant extortion by various
armed Naga militant groups.
In the past, some armed groups have spoken in favour of such practice saying there ought to be 'taxes' on the people.
Security officials have termed these as illegal and even recommended actions lately.
Theja Therie of NPAC also has said that - "No business is progressing in Nagaland while government offices
are busy collecting money and paying out to national workers...why should Naga people remain under the shadow of
someone who cannot bring solution".
His references were obliquely to the NSCN-IM leadership and the state authorities and also the Government of India.
Many say when the NNPG opposed the BJP-NDPP seat share pact, it actually reflected the group's lack of confidence in the present arrangement in the state for taking the peace process forward.
ends
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