CANDID TALK: ... by NNPG co-convener Isak Sumi : "We are caught between Challenges and Hope .... unless we come together, we can't say Govt of India does not have political will"

Isak Sumi, co-convener of NNPG led by Neokpao Konyak says: 

" We are stuck between challenges and hope ..... the challenges of coming together and the hope of coming together. Now our sincere effort is instead of preempting on the difficulties of the issues, let us first agree to come together.... to work together (with all Naga groups)," 

Participating in a TV discussion, Sumi said: "That is why we are trying to gain each other's confidence. Once we agree to work together... no matter what the issue may be; we can together present our issue to the Govt of India. There we will know whether the Govt of India has the political will to resolve the issue or not. 

Isak Sumi and his NNPG colleague P Tikhak Naga

"But utill and unless we come together and present our case together we cannot also simply not blame the Govt of India saying you don't have the political will to resolve when one or the other party (locally) is not willing to resolve it".  

"We cannot keep blaming the Govt of India as well... I think almost every Naga who is concerned about Indo-Naga political stalemate must have already realised there will be only One Solution for one issue. And the Govt of India has on several occasions made it clear there will be only One Solution".  

Answering questions during the programme, he said - "With so many multiple groups giving divergent ideas about the nature of Solution; about the different demands no matter the divergence we have to convince ourselves unless we work together there cannot be any headway." 

His remarks at this juncture assume enough significance only recently NSCN-IM chairman Q Tuccu said his organisation NSCN-IM is not willing to share stage with the NNPG.

Reacting to such remarks, the NNPG led by Kitovi has issued a strong rebuttal saying -- 

that "at no point of time" it had any desire to be a part of any agreement where NSCN - IM was a party. 

"There is a term going around called a "Common Draft" for convergence of all stakeholders. Let it be known that it is the initiative of the Government of India (Gol) for an inclusive Naga solution. The WC, NNPGs have acknowledged it in principle, provided the draft do not disturb the core fabric of AGREED POSITION of 17th November 2017," said a statement from the conglomeration. 

The NNPG led by Kitovi was a bit harsh when it said -- "There was absolutely no consultation with the Naga tribes prior to signing the document. The moral and emotional consent and approval of the Naga Tribes never pricked their conscience. 

Even today, Nagas are not privy to their real political conversation. 

"For this very reason the Indigenous Nagas, the ancestral entities do not consider FA as genuinely theirs. Consider the word 'NAGALIM', it is a utopian term, irrelevant and non-existent in the Naga history pages". 

Hence coming on Aug 20th; Isak Sumi's observation may work to give some soothing touch.  

All these have become vital as Ao Sneden and FNR initiated a meeting has been called at Ungma village on Aug 22. 

Of course who all will attend remains to be seen.  

But at the same time Isak Sumi remained firm about certain things which can be called 'frank' outbursts. 

"So... it is not time for any political group to be very adamant about their own idea of a Solution or the peace process.

"It is high time that we sit together .... and honestly bring the issue on the table."  

To a pointed question on the prolonged insurgency and how it has impacted development and created hurdles for the youths for decades now; Isak Sumi said -- 

"This unresolved Naga political issue has been the pretext from politicians to business people to Naga political groups ... we all have taken undue advantage of this unresolved Naga political issue. 

"It may be out of context but give a simple instance since the foundation (formation) of the Nagaland state we have never seen a single politician or bureaucrat who has been prosecuted by the investigating agencies". 

This was a rather loaded statement meant to be grasped and analysed well in New Delhi.

 

Participating in the discussions, social activist Theja Therieh called for early solution.

He said the on-going negotiation between the Govt of India and the Naga groups has paradoxically turned into "a huge burden" on the common Nagas. 

ends