CNFN urges GoI to deliver Naga political solution

DIMAPUR, SEP 24 (NPN): Concerned Naga Forum, Nagaland (CNFN), at its 7th general body meeting held at AIKO Greens on September 21, took note of various issues in the public domain and expressed its stand on the Naga political issue, emphasizing clarity and transparency in its approach.
On the Naga national movement, CNFN said it was a people’s movement and that no single organisation, faction or individual could claim exclusive authority over the Naga national question. It said the Framework Agreement of 2015 and the Agreed Position of 2017 reflected the endorsement of the parties involved and the people who had accepted them for political negotiations, adding that such endorsement did not amount to surrender or compromise of Naga aspirations and that the people would make the final decision.
On territorial integration, CNFN stated that integration of contiguous Naga-inhabited areas was no longer on the agenda and that existing territorial boundaries of respective states should remain unchanged. It called upon indigenous people of Nagaland to uphold their responsibilities and urged non-indigenous residents to refrain from undue interference in matters concerning the rights of indigenous people.
On identification of residents, the forum said it was the responsibility of the state government to identify and categorise residents to ensure peaceful coexistence. It called for a state-wide Registration of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN), describing it as a unique identity system in place of the NRC, and said legitimate residents should receive due respect and dignity in their own land.
On the role of the state government, CNFN referred to chief minister Neiphiu Rio’s pledge that the state government would step aside to facilitate an honourable, acceptable and inclusive Naga political solution. It said that since the two Naga negotiating groups had signed political agreements, the state was morally bound to honour the commitment and make way for their implementation.
The forum said failure to do so would obstruct the path to a solution and claimed that this would obligate the Government of India to impose President’s Rule and deliver the long-awaited solution.
On the demand for a fresh interlocutor, CNFN said the state government’s demand for fresh negotiations under a new interlocutor was beyond the scope of a “Facilitator”. It said a facilitator was meant to facilitate dialogue and could not demand new parameters or conditions for talks.
CNFN claimed the demand amounted to imposing a fresh condition on talks that had already been agreed upon and signed, and undermined the Framework Agreement and Agreed Position.
It also alleged that the state government had backtracked from its resolution concerning the Naga peace process, as expressed through the vote of thanks to the Governor’s Address in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
The forum said that if the state government insisted on a new interlocutor, it would mean seeking to restart negotiations and would require a formal resolution rejecting the two agreements and amendment of the NLA resolution adopted on the vote of thanks to the Governor’s Address during the first day of the 5th session of the 13th NLA.
On the role of the state government, CNFN said the Government of Nagaland, being a constituent of the Government of India which had signed agreements with Naga groups, was a party to the GoI and not a third party. It said the state government could not remain detached from negotiations or impose independent conditions on the talks.
The forum urged the state government to cease interference and allow the two entities to work out an amicable settlement for lasting peace.
CNFN also appealed to Naga political groups engaged in negotiations to remain focused and committed to the “gentlemen’s agreements” and collectively work towards a common resolution based on contemporary and practical realities.
Appealing to the Government of India, the forum said, “The time for reckoning is now,” and stated that it would not remain a “silent spectator” in the face of indecision.
It affirmed the Naga people’s inherent right to live in peace, with dignity, freedom and self-determination, and said decades of conflict, hardship and burden had been endured.
CNFN called upon the Government of India to honour its commitment, conclude the negotiations and deliver the long-awaited political solution without further delay, enabling the people to move towards progress, all-round development and a secure future in a peaceful environment.