The Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) has appealed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to expedite the solution to the Naga political issue.
In a representation to the Prime Minister through governor, NTC president C Pankathung Lotha and general secretary C Onen Walling lamented that the implementation of the solution had been delayed despite the signing of the Framework Agreement in 2015 and the Agreed Position in 2017, and official records indicating that talks were completed on October 31, 2019.
They reminded the Prime Minister that he had made a public declaration during the Hornbill Festival at Kohima in 2015 that the Nagas would have the solution within 18 months, besides making another declaration during his visit to Saudi Arabia the same year that he had solved the longest insurgency problem of the north-eastern region, which was widely applauded by the whole world.
Urging him to implement the agreed-upon solutions without further delay, ensuring justice for the Naga people, they said the current situation in Nagaland was deteriorating, with multiple Naga political groups numbering not less than 28 causing misery to the people due to multiple taxations, extortions, intimidations and kidnappings.
The NTC leaders reminded Modi that it was long 10 years since the two agreements were reached, pointing out that this undue long period of ceasefire and agreements of 38 years had given rise to so many undesirable Naga political factions.
“Unfortunately, the ground reality shows that both the state and Central governments have looked the other way, shying away from their responsibilities to protect their own citizens from the cruel hands of these anti-Naga political groups. The resulting situation appears as if it is in a state of free for all,” they stated
Hence, they requested his immediate attention to implement the agreements and restore peace for all-round development, giving the Naga public a chance to live normal human lives. They emphasised that it was the sole responsibility of the Central Government to implement the agreements immediately.