A high-Level Political meeting held on May 9, chaired by chief minister Neiphiu Rio has decided to constitute a “Political Affairs Committee” (PAC) comprising of the council of ministers and legislature leaders of all political parties in the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) to “find an inclusive solution to the long-drawn Indo-Naga political issue as a facilitator.”
Informing this in a circular, Parliamentary Affairs minister KG Kenye directed all the Legislature Party leaders to initiate the formation of “Political Consultative Committees (PCCs) in consultation with their respective party organisations to deal with the matters exclusively for the purpose mentioned.
Kenye said that this was being initiated once again with a renewed vigour in furtherance to the spirit of the all-party opposition-less government in pursuit of a broad consensus for an early and amicable settlement.
In this regard, Kenye said the size of the members comprising the PCCs could vary as per the numerical strength of the party legislators in the 14th Nagalabd Legislative Assembly.
Accordingly, Kenye said it would be a seven-member committee for 10 MLAs and above, five-member committee for five MLAs and above, three-member committee for one MLA and above, and convener and co-convener for Independent MLAs.
The circular had directed that the matter be treated on priority and the list of Political Consultative Committees may be submitted to the Parliamentary Affairs minister at the earliest.
It may be recalled that chief minister Neiphiu Rio in his Budget speech in February this year, reaffirmed his government’s decades-long efforts for securing solution to the Naga political issue.
He said the signing of the Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015 and the Agreed Position with the NNPGs on November 17, 2017 raised hopes that the people would have a peace accord soon.
He highlighted the State Government’s role as an active facilitator in the peace talks but noted the lack of a conclusive outcome despite numerous resolutions and consultative meetings.
He said: “Our children today have high aspirations in life like their peers in other parts of the world. We owe the younger generation a secure future and to achieve that, make all possible efforts to resolve the Naga political issue so that our children can realise their full potential”.
In this regard he urged all parties involved including the Government of India and the Naga Political groups, to arrive at a solution that was honourable, acceptable and inclusive at the earliest.