Respect the Naga people’s demand for political solution and not election
Adding to the environment of despondent uncertainty highlighted by the demand for Frontier Nagaland state, the confusion over ticket distribution within the NDPP and BJP besides no takers for an all party opposition pre-poll alliance, the Working Committee (WC) of NNPGs has made an appeal to all “conscience-driven candidates to refrain from filing nomination” in the ensuing Assembly election in Nagaland and respect the Naga people’s demand for political solution and not election.
WC through a communiqué committee called upon all aspiring candidates to respect Naga people’s demand for ‘Solution and not Election’. WC also said it was time to reinforce Naga political and historical truth to both the government of India and Naga people and a time to shout for Naga legitimate right and “not be a slave to any Indian political party”.
The communiqué reiterated that NNPGs and Naga history would acknowledge and accord highest respect to those intending candidates and leaders who exhibit such spirit to awaken the Nagas. WC said both these leaders and their off-springs would harvest visible and invisible blessings and goodwill and would also be deemed pathfinders and true patriots of Nagaland for rekindling the Naga vision.
WC expressed the hope that intending candidates, in the midst of the poll bugle noise, would still hear the voices of sanity and take correct decisions for future Naga generations.
WC maintained that election has once more been forced upon the electorate of Nagaland despite the conclusion of political dialogue between the Central government and Naga negotiating groups. It lamented that the unrestrained voice and demand of Naga tribes and civil society groups for “Solution and not Election” had been set aside to allow the so-called democratic exercise, which it termed “a tool to weaken the legitimate historical and political rights of Nagas”.
WC thus appealed to all the intending candidates to pause and reflect on the history of political conflict between India and Nagas and also reminding the Centre that the appeal by Nagas in 1929 to be left alone to determine their own future if the Britishers left India was, instead responded with military operations of unimaginable savagery.
WC said the murderous vengeance against innocent Naga men women and children haunted the Naga psyche till today as the wounds and scars remained. The WC communiqué declared that the destruction of Naga wealth, systematic procrastination, dismantling of Naga culture and civilisation could not be compensated by money or electoral politics, but only by honourable and acceptable political solution.
“This is where GoI political leadership and Nagaland State politicians are failing the Naga people,” it pointed out.
When juxtaposed with the Indo-Naga political talks, WC said elections in Nagaland were a nuisance, an extravagant indulgence and a conference of wanton thieves and braggards to loot the beleaguered Naga populace for another five years.
“Eligible men and women have the liberty to vote or abstain. Many will naturally exercise their vote believing in the tall poll promises or trusting the calibre of candidates. They are compelled to vote not because they are Indians but the societal structure deems it,” the statement noted.
