"I wish for peace & solution in Naga areas during Muivah's lifetime"
New Delhi
Senior Naga rebel leader N Kitovi Zhimomi on Saturday, Oct 5, welcomed the "so-called resumption" of dialogues between NSCN-IM and the Government of India and described veteran Thuingaleng Muivah as a "tall Naga leader".
"I welcome the initiatives for talks. From our side the NNPG's detailed discussions with the Govt of India are over. But they (NSCN-IM) keep stating talks should continue. So I welcome the coming rounds of parleys. Let us welcome all such dialogues with optimism," Kitovi told this journalist over the phone.
Kitovi, who restructured NSCN (GPRN) on May 28th earlier this year, said, "I will always describe Muivah as a tall Naga leader. He is now 90 plus and his life is a testimony to what I say.... Muivah has been in the jungles since the 1960s and I was born in 1958....".
"His long life is a testimony to what we believe that life itself is a heavenly blessing".
A delegation of NSCN-IM is expected in Delhi to resume the parleys.
To a question Kitovi said, "Leaders like Muivah and Late Isak Chishi Swu were much senior to us. So I do not consider them as my contemporary or my rivals. We had differences in ideology, that's something else".
To a question, Kitovi said, "Time is running out for everyone of us. Muivah himself is in the Nineties .... Thus it is crucial for our immediate survival that we ensure peace in our land. I always stand for peace negotiations to address the root causes of the political conflict. I wish we had a political solution at the earliest.
I wish Muivah a long and healthy life.
But I also wish that we have peace and solution in Naga areas and in north east India during his lifetime".
Answering questions, Kitovi said, "Enough of bloodshed in Naga life. In 2017 when we agreed to work for Peace and the Agreed Position, we consulted Naga scholars, intellectuals, retired bureaucrats, all tribal bodies, Nagaland GB Federation and civil society. It was concluded to be practical in the negotiations. The conclusion of NNPG negotiations with the Govt of India was based on Naga people's sentiment".
"We have to understand what kind of world we have created. Our young Naga boys and girls feel abandoned by corporate houses and all prospective investors. Is this what they deserve? Naga brothers in Myanmar are in a different world - things are more chaotic and violent there.
Do we need to keep such a future for our children and grandchildren?"
"Let us make a peaceful Nagaland where the industrial atmosphere is improved.We have to look at things optimistically. Tomorrow, our children should go out on the street and feel safe," he said adding, "The more we delay Solution for whatever small-term benefits, things will only get harder and harder".
ends
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