Manipur to 'Parked' Naga talks, Inept handling ::: Parleys 'parked' on sideways and valets have gone on leave .....

Should centre invite NSCN-IM and NNPG for a joint sitting ?  

New Delhi

On Naga peace talks, one pro-Solution leader says, parleys have been 'parked' on the sideways and the valets have gone on leave.

                                         

Some of my social media friends often get wild at me personally for my pro-Modi tilt. One such occasion has been to my observation that Manipur killings though sad and unwarranted is an 'internal' matter of India and European Union Parliament discussing it is also unwarranted and cannot serve any purpose.

V. Lalduhawma, a friend in Mizoram, angrily commented, "Whatever it is internal or external, Modi has to bring peace between the Meiteis and the hill people instead of keeping silent to the chaotic law and order".

'Nagaland Page'

I cannot agree more. But I have to discuss the issues further. Let us see how the political class behave in the northeast. As the tension escalated in Manipur; we found the BJP-led supposed coordination platform North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) doing a vanishing act. Its convener Himanta Biswa Sarma made a visit to Manipur after Home Minister Amit Shah had done so. But as visit was more as a BJP leader pathetically again, he could not leave any positive impact.

Other than condemning the violence, nothing much has come from other Chief Ministers such as Neiphiu Rio and Conrad Sangma. 

These two leaders belonging to regional parties along with Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga could have met and deliberated once and then evolved a strategy to 'review' Biren Singh government's policy in the violence-hit state.  

A review does not mean sacking the Chief Minister or offering any magical wand to deal with the complexities of issues involved. It will not mean any drastic change in policy, political and governance objectives either. 

But such a review by regional leaders and also NDA constituents could have 

helped reshape the overall strategy to pursue goals more effectively. 

Biren Singh and Regional leaders and 'BJP's friends' 

Now with regard to Naga talks, Mr Theja Therieh, a product of Science College, Kohima - where he led an agitation for UGC scale for teachers and even boycott of NEHU 'test examination' once - is also an angry young man. 

"I do not like to behave like the manner I do," remarked the soft spoken

semi-idealist and semi-pragmatic kind of a social activist during his visit to Delhi.

"The peace talks have been 'parked' somewhere and the valets have gone on leave to his Basti (village) with the keys....," the anger in his tone was palpable. Then he added, "the NSCN-IM to me seems to be very comfortable with the status quo, the ceasefire and the so-called negotiations. My point is we should move out of this comfort zone. 

All our aspirations and demands of Naga people within the state of Nagaland and outside have to be hammered out at the negotiating table unless we call 

off the negotiation itself".

More or less, I agree with him too. As a strong proponent for early Solution; I also tend to believe that we cannot expect the Government of India to take a final call on all critical issues.

Blogger in Nagaland 

Lately, a theory has been circulated that both the NSCN-IM and the NNPGs should be 'invited' by the centre for a joint sitting. 

Now, came an opportunity for NPF veteran Shurhozelie to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the NDA bash on July 18. The Cock wants to go crowing in silo style. It's a mild lost opportunity. 

At the bash itself, Shurhozelie could have spoken his mind to other BJP leaders including Amit Shah vis-a-vis Naga peace talks and how the NDPP-BJP regime is practically working as an oxygen provider to the saboteurs' club.

Another important issue before every stakeholders and observers of Nagaland situation is - Can the BJP and the centre go beyond 'party interest' and address the Naga issue on a holistic approach.

So far, our presumption has been only old-hat S C Jamir had access and 'relations' with Modi whom he could frankly and candidly tell spade a spade. 

The former Chief Minister has done it more than once. For his part, the Prime Minister has even tweeted and called Jamir a 'statesman'. India's third highest civilian award Padma Bhushan was also given to him in 2020.

But during February 2023 elections, the Congress leaders have introduced Jamir as 'a star campaigner'.  Was it a strategic mistake?

ends