Correspondent
KOHIMA, SEP 25 (NPN): Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) on Friday demanded the immediate implementation of the 2015 Framework Agreement (FA) and the 2017 Agreed Position (AP), asserting that the Naga political dialogue should now move from negotiations to implementation.
NPCC president and Lok Sabha MP, S Supongmeren Jamir, said the Congress wanted an inclusive settlement involving all stakeholders. He questioned the need for further negotiations after years of dialogue and referred to the 2019 statement by former Nagaland governor and interlocutor RN Ravi that negotiations had concluded. He maintained that focus should now be on implementing the agreements already reached.
He also questioned the appointment of another interlocutor at this stage, saying it did not align with the demand for implementation.
Nearly 11 years had passed since the Framework Agreement and about nine years since the Agreed Position, Supongmeren noted, adding that people had become increasingly restless over the prolonged delay.
He recalled that MLAs had committed to resigning voluntarily once a complete settlement was reached, after which the constitutional course would be President’s Rule.
He said Congress, however, remained focused on securing an early settlement rather than discussing any interim arrangement.
On state governance, Supongmeren alleged that elected members of town and municipal councils belonging to the Congress and other parties had faced pressure to join the ruling party after initially being denied facilities. He said such attempts affected not only the elected representatives but also deprived voters of the mandate they had given them.
He criticised those who had subsequently joined the Naga People’s Front, alleging that some had compromised their principles and commitments to voters for monetary considerations or assurances of projects.
He warned that continuation of such practices would raise serious questions about governance even at the grassroots level.
Regarding former chief minister S C Jamir’s reported remark about a “complete breakdown” of governance, Supongmeren said the former chief minister understood the functioning of government and had made the observation on the basis of that experience.
Asked about a former Congress chief minister’s meeting with RSS leaders, he clarified that it had been held in the individual’s personal capacity and did not represent the Congress party.
NPCC working president C Apok Jamir, who moderated the press conference at Congress Bhavan, demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over what he described as concerns surrounding the functioning of the Election Commission of India.
He cited a recent report in The Indian Express on objections reportedly raised by the other two election commissioners over certain decisions, and referred to the Supreme Court’s judgment in TN Seshan v. Union of India, stating that the chief election commissioner was “first among equals” and could not act arbitrarily without consultation.
On the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Nagaland, Apok said the Congress supported the exercise if it was conducted transparently, but expressed concern over the deletion of more than one lakh names from the draft electoral roll.
He also questioned the requirement in Form 6 for information relating to parents or grandparents, alleging that it could be used to examine applicants’ backgrounds for political considerations.
As an autonomous constitutional body, he said the Election Commission needed to maintain transparency and public confidence.
On highway projects, Supongmeren said he would continue to take up delays with the Union ministry, concerned ministers and NHIDCL authorities.
He informed that restoration work on the Phesama stretch had begun from the Mao side on Friday and would start from the Kohima side on Monday, with completion expected in about a month.
MP said corrective measures were also being planned for the Patkai stretch, including a tunnel, two bridges and a diversion towards the riverside, while the Kohima bypass, with around 20 per cent of the work completed, could take another two years.
Supongmeren also raised concerns over contractors quoting low rates and subsequently subletting works, and urged authorities and the public to monitor contractors closely and report any failures.