Nagas are at crossroads in more ways than one and everyone is concerned about development and enhanced corporate investments, but such things can be achieved only when there is a "permanent peace", NNPG convener N Kitovi Zhimomi has said.
"We Nagas have reached a critical stage of our history. Everyone wants a good future for our youths. But for MNC money we need permanent peace. And for permanent peace, there is need for Solution," Kitovi told 'Nagaland Page'. He said if Solution does not come, people will be more frustrated.
"For NNPG, the top most priority is the future of youths," he maintained and went onto add that unlike some, the NNPG is not after easy flow of cash. "We are not begging packages....we are eyeing the planned economic growth instead".
To a question on the future of Naga youths, Mr Kitovi said, "such selfless actions vis-a-vis planned economic growth is required as Nagaland missed 13 plan periods due to armed conflicts".
"Now we have to cover up the missed period in a time bound manner to join the development graph of other states and the rest of India".
Answering questions, the NNPG leader said inking of a new Solution and a final peace pact is also required at the earliest as many facets of the much talked about Article 371 (A) is not understood. "I tried to share my views on Article 371A in a media interview recently. The feedback has been good as I could highlight some important points," he said.
Mr Kitovi said to a large extent the Art 371 A is not very clear about land and resources.
"I will give a very raw example....The Article 371A of course prevents everyone from forcing Naga people to eat spicy Dal prepared in Delhi (jn reference to central laws), the Nagas can decide whether they should eat the Dal made in Delhi but at the same time the Article 371A actually does not allow the Nagas to eat their own Naga dal".
By stating this Kitovi in effect maintained that while rich mineral resources and land resources remain there "untapped", but Naga people continue to be poor.
Kitovi also suggested that in certain quarters "unwarranted hype" is created around Article 371A. "The moot point is the Nagaland Assembly is not given the power to legislate any law pertaining to matters under 371A...There is cow and grass also a dog barking at the cow and this is to prevent it to eat the same grass," he tried to explain.
However, the seasoned militant leader-turned-peace proponent now says, "In no ways I am downgrading Article 371A. It was an important piece of legislation in the 1960s...but things have changed and so now we are making a cause for a new Naga peace agreement which is based on current situation and therefore our Agreed Position is more realistic and pragmatic and also future oriented".
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In Nagaland even those who loot are "unhappy", says ex-Congress chief Therie
The Naga political history is unique but the contemporary happenings in Nagaland state are equally "unique" wherein players including from outside the state are harming lakhs of Naga population, forner pradesh Congress chief K Therie has said.
"In Happiness Index Nagaland may be second most unhappy state after Uttar Pradesh in India. It is the most unhappy state in northeast and the uniqueness is that ours is a state where even those who loot are unhappy," Therie told "Nagaland Page" here.
"We are unique.... as on one side while people protest in the street and write for political solution, MLAs come together to form opposition less governments for political solution. At the same election verdict in such manner with use of money says we don’t want solution. But so-called talks should continue," he said.
"The sad part is those who loot and with absolute power are also unhappy….".
On Congress politics at the northeast and national level, he said, "Consultation by the High Command has kept the northeast states with Congress over the years".
On this context, he named leaders such as Pranab Mukherjee, P A Sangma, Santosh Mohan Dev to name a few and recalled their contributions.
He said, " Where on earth you will find a place where those who loot easily are unhappy as half their loot will be again looted by another set of people" --- almost in a tongue-in-cheek statement.
Therie said the BJP-led NDA government has failed as India today stands at the 136th position in happiness yardstick while Afghanistan is last at 149th.
Therie, who quit recently as Pradesh chief after electoral setback, said "Coming few months will be crucial for the Congress party at the national level as Karnataka polls outcome will give us an advantage for the battle of 2024".
To a question he said, "At the same time it will be crucial for the Congress leadership to take some important steps. Our central leadership earlier consulted leaders from north east on important national issues. The practice is being revived now".
On this backdrop, he said - "On a number of occasions we have been consulted earlier like by no less than Sonia Gandhi, Ambika Soni and even Pranab Mukherjee...If this time I am asked what should my party do, I think sincerely I will suggest we should try winning our regional leaders including those with Congress DNA like Jagan Mohan Reddy of YSR Congres, Mamata ji in Bengal and also some important leaders in our own party such as Sachin Pilot".
"The suggestion made by some other leaders that Congress and other opposition parties should focus attention to give one on one contest to BJP is the only viable option we have to oust the Modi government," said Therie.
He also lamented that in Nagaland the performance of the NDPP-BJP government is dismal but those who matter are looking the other way.
"I have stated earlier that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is a prisoner of saffron party and these are his own making. The fact that smiles have vanished from the face of a Chief Minister of five terms tell the real picture.....What we don't see and what we don't speak is the bitter reality today, " the former state Minister said.
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