With cadres of 26 political groups sheltered in 15 to 16 designated camps and only five political groups in ceasefire agreement, chief minister Neiphiu Rio cautioned that unless Nagas took the settlement of what the was agreed upon in the Framework Agreement, 2015 and Agreed Position, 2017, people would not survive.
The chief minister, who is also leader of the house, made this remark on the concluding day of the fifth session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) on Thursday during a discussion on matters of urgent public importance under rule 50A on Naga political issues raised by NPF Legislature Party leader Kuzholuzo Nienu.
Rio said Naga people were longing for genuine peace and looking for all-round development of the state. He recalled the offer extended by the Prime Minister and cautioned that there was no settlement now, the public would not survive with 26 political groups collecting tax.
He mentioned that a political solution that was inclusive, honourable and acceptable to all Nagas would usher in an era of faster economic growth, greater investment and bring better employment opportunities to the youth, leading to all-round development and progress.
He appealed all Naga political groups and stakeholders to be sensitive to the deep yearning of the people, and continue with their sincere efforts to ensure that a solution was reached.
He thanked the members for exhibiting their firmness in solving the Naga political issue, stating that though the house would not pass any resolution, the unity of the members would be taken to the civil society, faith-based organisations and stakeholders.
Stating that the elected members were mandated leaders of the people, took oath under the Constitution of India and had limited role to play, he however remarked that the members had every right to raise people’s voice. He recalled that the NLA had passed resolutions six times and integration was the key in all the six resolutions, while another five resolutions were passed outside the Assembly, all of which were very clear.
He noted that in all the 11 resolutions passed both inside and outside the Assembly, it was stated that “a political solution that is inclusive, honorable and acceptable to the Naga people”, complicating the Naga political issue since “we ourselves have given a kind of condition”.
Nevertheless, to make the solution inclusive, honourable and acceptable achievable, he stressed that the Nagas and the 26 NPGs should come together to take a decision.
He cautioned that unless they united, the solution would not be inclusive, with the agreement would not be honourable without being inclusive, and the agreement would not be acceptable to the Nagas if the agreement was not honorable.
Mentioning that signing of the Framework Agreement with the NSCN (I-M) on August 3, 2015 and Agreed Position with the WC/NNPGs on November 17, 2017 had raised hope for a lasting peace, Rio pointed out that the message of former governor on the eve of 58th Statehood Day gave the Nagas a ray of hope, but regretted that solution could not be achieved till today.
Even as the Naga political groups (NPGs) termed the state government “unmandated”, Rio pointed out that the elected members had taken oath under the Constitution of India and had every right to speak for the public.
He said the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) and Political Consultative Committee were constituted and a meeting was held on August 28, including 60 members from nine political parties and two MPs.
He mentioned that several PAC meetings were held, while the next meeting would be a joint meeting with the civil society, tribal hohos, faith-based organisations, senior citizens and people concerned.
He mentioned that the members should emphasise on the resolution and discuss thoroughly the “political solution that is inclusive, monitor-able and acceptable to Nagas”. He also read out a letter of “one NSCN” addressed to Union Home Minister that read “At the outset the NSCN since its inception has sustained by a willful meager contribution mandated by the Nagas to acknowledge political rights and if anybody challenging the NSCN could invite capital punishment as enshrined in the NSCN Yezhabo”.
He term this as a very dangerous statement and questioned whether the group had the mandate to make a Yezhabo and give capital punishment to the citizens, and whether it had the mandate to collect tax by force.
Rio observed that the Nagas were in a difficult and dangerous situation, and called for the civil society and members of the NLA to have serious discussion, adding “if they are mandated by the people then they should listen to the voice of the people”.
He also commented on the statement made by the Congress during the Lok Sabha election that “the party will solve Naga political issue on the basis of agreement signed during 2013/2014”.
He said the members would hold consultations with the negotiating parties on the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position, the competences before the consultation meeting with the civil society and educate what the NSCN (I-M) and NNPGs were discussing, the contentious issues and the competencies and what the Congress had signed in 2013-14, with public being the pressure group.
Earlier, initiating the discussion, Nienu presented 12 pages on the background and chronicles of modern Naga history.
He remarked that with 25-26 factions, who called themselves national workers, was not something that the Nagas could be proud of, but rather be ashamed. He recalled that for 34 years there was an undivided NNC, which was the true mandate of the Nagas, stressing that what the Nagas now needed was another undivided NNC to take forward the Naga political issue till such time the two agreements were not honoured.
He urged the members as leaders to speak the truth and stand up for the truth, while calling upon all national workers to come under one umbrella and create another undivided NNC to achieve the long-desired goal of sovereignty.
The NPF MLA observed that over the years all talks and negotiations had miserably failed due to non-participation of both over-ground and underground groups, and hence suggested that both the parties take part in the talks to make them successful.
He said the legislators should not only play the role of facilitator, but should also be a part of the negotiating groups as well. Taking part in the discussion, NPP legislator Nuklutoshi said the Framework Agreement and Agreed Position should be placed in public domain since the Central government had already clarified what was possible and what was not.
He said the Centre was waiting for the decision of the Nagas, adding that there was a need for another referendum after the Framework Agreement and Agreed Position were placed in public domain.
The MLA suggested that the state government must initiate a wide consultative meeting with the civil society, faith-based organisations, student bodies and all the stakeholders.
With the delay in signing the final agreement, LJP (RV) legislator Dr Sukhato Sema described the recent joining of over 300 fresh graduates in different underground groups as a matter of serious concern.
Minister G Kaito Aye suggested putting pressure on the Centre to abide by the Framework Agreement and Agreed Position and also to hammer out the differences.
He also questioned why the Ceasefire Monitoring Group was allowing the underground groups to roam freely, collect taxes randomly, and intimidate people, insisting that Ceasefire Ground Rules should be followed.
Adviser Imkong L Imchen expressed fears that more delay in signing the final agreement would legalise killing, bloodshed, taxation and tribalism. NPF member Achumbemo Kikon suggested adoption of a resolution besides the six previous resolutions.
RPI (A) legislator Lima Onen Chang appealed for hammering out the differences and coming together for the cause of the Nagas irrespective of factions. Independent member Dr Neisatuo Mero said the Central government should not sit over or put in cold storage the Naga political issue, and sincerely resume the talks to find an acceptable solution.
Advisor Z Nyusietho Nyuthe called for sitting with the negotiators to hear their views, and work out the differences before the situation went out of hand. LJP (RV) member Naiba Konyak appealed the national workers to come together under one umbrella.
Instead of blaming one another, NPP member Nyamnyei Konyak suggested that the Naga political issue be made into a Naga movement to demand a solution. JDU legislator Jwenga Seb said the path forward for resolving the Naga political issue lay in the ability to unite internally, establish a single Naga apex body, and engage in inclusive and transparent discourse.
Dr. Sukhato flags concern over ‘318 graduates’ joining a faction
Correspondent
KOHIMA, AUG 29 (NPN): In a startling revelation during the fifth session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Dr. Sukhato A. Sema, LJP (RV) legislator, disclosed that “318 young Naga graduates had recently joined a particular faction/group.”
He claimed that in the “past three months in one faction alone 318 young graduates had joined a particular faction.” During a zero hour discussion on the Naga political issue, Dr. Sukhato highlighted this significant development and questioned the motives behind this influx of graduates into the faction.
He expressed concern about whether their involvement is aimed at constructive purposes benefiting society or if there were other underlying motives.
Dr. Sukhato called for serious reflection on this matter, emphasizing the need to understand the ultimate objectives of these young individuals joining the faction. He also drew the attention of the house with regard to signing of various political resolutions by various State and Central leaders including various Naga political groups. He was hopeful of an early resolution to the Naga political issue.