The Naga Hoho (NH) has criticized the Centre for the perpetual delay in finding a solution to the Naga political issue, asserting that every accord had been inconclusive due to lack of integrity and political will of the Central government.
In its first Federal Assembly for 2024-2028 held at AIDA Conference Hall, here on Thursday, NH noted that the peace talks between the Nagas and Centre had been ongoing for 27 years, the present ceasefire agreement signed between Centre and NSCN (I-M) on July 25, 1997 and subsequent agreements inked with Naga groups at various stages, including Framework Agreement (August 3, 2015) and Agreed Position (November 17, 2017).
NH alleged that the accords had failed to progress beyond mere appeasement on paper to actual implementation in letter and spirit. The hoho expressed dismay at the statement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an interview with The Assam Tribune on April 8, 2024 that “more than 9,500 insurgents have surrendered since 2014 and integrated into the mainstream, showcasing a substantial step towards peace and development in the region”. He had also claimed that 11 peace accords were signed over the last 10 years.
NH asserted that integration into mainstream and mere signing of accords could not address the root cause of Naga Issue, maintaining that absence of open conflict was not permanent peace. The hoho appealed the Centre to make an honest, determined and concerted effort to bring about a permanent solution to the Indo-Naga issue that was acceptable, inclusive and sustainable to all stakeholders.
To create conducive atmosphere of mutual trust between the negotiating parties, the hoho reiterated the demand for scrapping the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), terming it intrinsically draconian and Machiavellian in spirit.
It accused the armed forces of perpetrating inhuman atrocities defying all human rights under the guise and secure with the protection provided by the AFSPA, heralding a reign of terror upon innocent Nagas and other people through Operation Bluebird at Oinam in 1987, Mokokchung and Akuluto in the winter of 1994-95, Kohima in 1995, and most recently in Oting in 2021.
Declaring support to the recent efforts of the state government to seek justice for the victims of Oting butchery by the armed forces, the hoho also called for broad constitutional reforms to permanently repeal this draconian Act that had no place in a democratic set-up.
Deliberating on the menace of illegal immigrants in indigenous people’s areas in the North Eastern region, NH attributed the ethnic conflicts in the region, including the Kuki-Meitei conflict in Manipur, to the irresponsible, complacent and short-sighted policies of the state governments as well as the Centre.
The hoho also reaffirmed its opposition to the removal of Free Movement Regiment (FMR) along the India-Myanmar border.
NH said that the house reiterated that any endeavour to abolish FMR was antithetical to the interests of the Nagas, obstructing the historical and cultural ties that transcended man-made national and international borders.
The hoho appealed to all section of Naga people, irrespective of state-imposed political boundaries, to be steadfast and united in the common struggle towards achieving a Naga nation.