Calling for unity and understanding among all sections of Naga people in order to strengthen the peace process and create an environment conducive for a successful implementation of a final peace accord, the Joint Legislators’ Forum (JLF) on Naga Political Issue appealed to Government of India (GoI) to understand and appreciate the Nagas who had made significant sacrifices to ensure that the ceasefire and peace talks were not affected and work towards an early and acceptable political solution.
In a consultative meeting with NSCN/GPRN at Rhododendron Hall, Chumoukedima here on Wednesday that was chaired by JLF speaker-in-charge and chairman Zhaleo Rio, the forum also assured that it would not come in the way of any alternative arrangement that might come about following a political solution. Rather, JLF said it would extend all cooperation to ensure that a congenial atmosphere was created for successful implementation of the peace accord.
According to a statement issued by the forum, the consultative meeting was successful and held in a cordial manner with positive deliberations from the members present. The ongoing peace process was the main subject of discussion and the members present deliberated on the issue in an extensive manner, it was added.
While JLF members, including its chairman, chief minister Neiphiu Rio and leader of opposition TR Zeliang, extended appreciation to NSCN and national workers and their families for their contributions and sacrifices in upholding the Naga political issue and for bringing the movement thus far, they pointed out that all 60 members of Nagaland Legislative Assembly had united under one banner by setting aside their political ideologies and party affiliations for the Naga political issue in the greater interest of the people and work towards lasting peace.
The forum further assured to play the role of not only a facilitator but become much more proactive, even as it appealed to the national workers to guide it in such a manner that JLF might positively contribute towards success of the negotiations in any manner possible.
The deliberations were unanimous that the political talks need to be expedited in order to take the negotiations to their logical conclusion and find a solution that was honourable and acceptable to the people and one that upheld the political and democratic rights of the Naga people, the statement added.