Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, OCT 8 (NPN): With its October 8 deadline for a response from the Government of India on the implementation of the two Naga political agreements– Framework Agreement and Agreed Position– expiring without a response, the Naga Youth Movement (NYM) said it would meet with Nagaland governor on October 9 or 10 to seek clarification.
It may be recalled that the NYM– formerly known as Fed-Up Nagas (FUN)– on July 8 submitted its charter of demands addressed to the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister through the Nagaland Governor, setting a three-month deadline to resolve the Naga political issue.
Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, NYM members reiterated that their primary demand was the early implementation of the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position signed with the Government of India.
Opening the press conference, Likali Naga recalled that NYM had organised a rally on July 27 demanding early implementation of both agreements and subsequently submitted a memorandum to the Government of India seeking clarity, accountability and a time-bound roadmap.
NYM member Idizeung Naga said the organisation would meet the governor on October 9 or 10 to seek an explanation for the absence of a response to its memorandum. He said NYM would decide its next course of action thereafter, while making it clear that the movement would not resort to illegal protests and would follow due procedures.
Idizeung urged Nagas to consider the consequences of what he described as “prolonged delay” in the political process and called upon “right-thinking citizens” to stand up for what he termed the truth.
Rejecting allegations aimed at “maligning” NYM, he said the movement had openly sought support from Nagas since its inception. He alleged that some individuals were attempting to sabotage the movement because they did not want a political solution, claiming their interests could be affected by a settlement.
NYM member Kuhoto Naga said the ultimatum was intended to seek accountability and that the organisation would proceed with its planned course of action after the deadline. He said NYM had met the collective leaderships of both the NSCN (I-M) and NNPGs and maintained that the movement was not opposed to any Naga political group but was seeking implementation of the two signed agreements.
Kuhoto also called for a round-table meeting to discuss a way forward and questioned why the Government of India had not initiated such a process. He questioned attempts by certain individuals to dissuade people from supporting NYM, saying Nagas had suffered enough.
On whether NYM’s demand was limited to Nagaland, Kuhoto said the movement was seeking implementation of the two agreements, whether within Nagaland or without Naga territorial boundaries. He added that questions on the issue should be directed to the negotiators.
On the appointment of new interlocutor Ajit Lal, NYM member Hiketo Naga questioned the move, arguing that the Government of India had already stated that negotiations had concluded in 2019. He said NYM had received confirmation that its memorandum had been received by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office.
Responding to allegations that attempts were being made to discredit NYM, Hiketo said such efforts would only make the movement more determined.
Asked about the next course of action, he said NYM would first seek a meeting with the governor to obtain clarification on absence of a response, after which it would decide its future course.
Another NYM member, Ninoto Naga, said the movement had conducted extensive research and would “no more hold back”. He alleged that Nagas knew where money was going and who wanted a solution, and warned that those delaying the process were “playing with the lives” of the youth.
Ninoto called on Nagas to stand up for what he described as the truth and support NYM’s demand for implementation of the two signed agreements.