Working Committee (WC), Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) has claimed that there were continuity, clarity and progress in negotiations with Government of India (GoI).
In a statement issued by its media cell, WC clarified that there was no stalemate or deadlock in the peace talks, and that it was not indulging in a political monologue. A clear approach was laid on the ground allowing collective wisdom to seep through in consonance with “our history, supported by logic, reasoning and practical reality of the day.”
Mentioning that every issue was processed jointly and transparency, proactive argument and healthy debate preceded each round of negotiations, the committee asserted that this was a “tectonic shift” from the usual Indo-Naga political dialogue.
WC said it believed that political and historical rights and aspiration of Nagas residing in Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam would be honoured and fulfilled. It also solicited prayer support from all Nagas, irrespective of domicile status or political, religious and tribal affiliations.
Stating that WC, NNPGs was a child of Naga reconciliation process, the committee said it owed its existence to peace-loving Naga people for believing in and endorsing various Naga national political groups into initiating a common platform.
“Naga political leaders having different ideologies and backgrounds, for the sake of future generations, answered the call of Nagas. The endeavour is to salvage our historical and political rights through peaceful, honourable and acceptable solution,” the statement stressed.
Further mentioning that reconciliation within the Church and Naga civil societies was urgent, WC emphasised that reconciliation among Naga tribes and communities, clans and within families was an essential component towards creating a “peaceful interdependent Naga homeland”.
“The process becomes narrow and one dimensional, if it caters only to stop hostility among armed Naga groups. Naga history is profoundly glorious yet intensely turbulent and violent. It teaches us to be fiercely patriotic yet not to be self-indulgent and remorseless,” the committee added.
According to WC, reconciliation process must identify and correct the basic flaw pertaining to social, religious and political discourse. It would naturally lose its shine if informed opinions and pragmatic challenges were muffled by opinionated and impractical narratives. The truth would then be suppressed and propaganda upheld. The process must, therefore, rid itself of procrastination and avoid biased presumptions and unfounded characterisation of leaders or followers, the committee highlighted.
Despite the seeming trust deficit and apprehension among its members initially, WC pointed out that greater and nobler service in unison for Naga nation became a critical task at hand. Thus, with varied yet common political idea, much brainstorming through past Naga history, analysing present predicament and envisioning future political landscape ensued, and consultation with Naga tribes, eminent scholars, intellectuals and civil societies gave shape to a single entity, eventually leading it to the negotiating table with GoI in September 2017, the committee recollected.
Mentioning that electronic, print and social media had flooded lives of individuals today, WC said these were outlets for information, healing, building and restoring trusts for some, while for others these were tool to question, intimidate, destroy, deter and extinguish people’s desire and aspirations. May God help the Nagas stay upright, it added.
It may be mentioned, the Government of India’s representative for Naga peace talks, RN Ravi, held an informal meeting with Khango-led NSCN (K) on January 10, 2019.
Ravi had told Nagaland Post that NSCN (K) will participate in the peace process along with Working Committee of the NNPGs”.