A day prior to the visit of R.N. Ravi, Centre’s Interlocutor for Naga talks, former minister and senior Congress leader, K.V. Pusa stated that the people be briefed about the August 3 frame work agreement to enable people draw a conclusion before the final agreement.
While stating that any agreement should usher in peaceful environment in the state for progress and development, Pusa however cautioned that such agreement should not create more problem as in the past.
He asserted that before any decision, Centre would have to create a congenial atmosphere for all groups and also consult the Naga people. Pusa cautioned saying “unilateral and dictatorial style of functioning could sabotage the hard earned Naga peace process”.
“Without taking all sections of people into account and their views considered, there would be no honourable and acceptable solution”, Pusa said. Centre should not deliver lip service but display sincerity and commitment to resolve the vexed Naga political issue, he added. For this, Pusa said “Centre should withdraw all black laws from the state like Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, Prevention of Unlawful Acts, release of all political prisoners, work towards removing all misgivings and suspicion among Naga insurgent groups. Unfortunately the Government of India is not doing that”.
He said a thorough deliberation and discussion was needed with all other Naga groups to reach for a common point before signing the final agreement. He further hit out at the Centre for declaring the NSCN (K) as unlawful outfit again and trying to liquidate it. “I think that is not in a true spirit of peace” he added.
Pusa went on to say that the framework accord had generated more confusion and doubts in the minds of the people because to the insincere approach by the Government of India. He said imposing Disturbed Area Act (DAA) in the state of Nagaland reflected the way Centre was tackling the Naga issue. Pusa also slammed the Centre of trying to curtail the democratic rights of the people in the name of AFSPA. In the guise of AFSPA, Pusa said that the Centre was dictating the media in Nagaland, raid civilian houses, killing of students and other human rights violation.
Taking note of the report that Centre would be monitoring mobile related calls (Call Detail Record) in Nagaland, he said it was invading into people’s privacy which tantamount to a dictatorial form of government.
“All these must be stopped if the Government of India is working for a permanent peace”, Pusa said.
He also advised the Centre not to view Nagaland from the perspective of insurgency only but to opt for development and progress as it is done in other states.
Meanwhile, Pusa has asked the BJP-led NDA government not only deliver lip services to the people but funds be released for speedy development of the state. He said “Nagaland was created out of special agreement and that it should not be at par with other states”.