NSCN (K) leader ‘lt. gen.’ (retd) Niki Sumi on Sunday asserted that his group will take into confidence the wishes and desire of the Naga people for achieving an honorable and acceptable solution to the decades-old Naga political issue.
Interacting with a group of people including some media persons on the outskirts of Dimapur, Niki further stressed that unity among the Nagas was paramount for any kind of lasting solution that would be acceptable to all.
He categorically emphasised that talks should be open which should include not only the negotiating parties but representatives from every tribe to sit across the table and hammer out differences.
While indicating that the NSCN (K) led by him will remain as a separate entity like that of the NSCN (I-M) and the Working Committee of the NNPGs- in the peace talks with the Government of India, Niki said that there may be differences among various groups, but unless all three– NSCN (I-M), WC NNPGs and NSCN (K)- sit together, there cannot be any head way.
“If all the groups cannot come and sit together and the public representatives cannot bear witness, there is no point in having dialogue,” Niki asserted.
When asked about the pending cases slapped against him by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Niki said that the concerned authorities were working on the issue to withdraw the cases. Niki, however, made it clear that his decision to revive the ceasefire with the Centre, which NSCN (K) had unilaterally abrogated in 2015, was to strengthen the peace process and also in view that the desire of the Nagas for a lasting solution.
He maintained that the decision to join the peace talks or to revive the ceasefire was to fulfil the wishes and aspirations of the Nagas- to give peace a chance and not with the expectation that the Government of India withdraw the cases against him. Niki said his only wish was that Nagas unite.
Niki asserted that his group has been striving for years to achieve an honourable and acceptable political solution to the Naga issue and was conscious of the overwhelming sentiments among Nagas for an early solution to the protracted issue.
It may mentioned that Niki Sumi was recently elected as president of the breakaway faction of the NSCN (K) after differences emerged with the leadership of the NSCN (K) group in Myanmar headed by Yung Aung.
On December 23, 2020 Niki announced that his faction, decided to revive the cease fire with the Government of India, in order to facilitate the peace process.
Niki said his group was aware of the sincere and genuine efforts made by the Government of India in the recent past, in finding a final and lasting solution to the Naga issue with involvement of all the stakeholders. Niki said it was in this regard that his group resolved to strengthen and support the peace process at the present critical juncture and established contact with officials of the government of India.
Niki Sumi’s group of NSCN(K) is the latest and perhaps the last to be joining the negotiations which have concluded as all issues have been covered.
According to reports from agencies, the draft of the blueprint for the agreement between the Government of India and Naga groups has been finalised and awaits the approval of the Prime Minister’s Office.