RPP statement on Indo-Naga issue ‘disoriented’: WC, NNPGs

Working Committee (WC), Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) has said it took strong exception to an “ambiguous” statement recently issued by the Rising People’s Party (RPP) on efforts to resolve the Naga political issue by terming RPP’s statement as “lack of maturity and coherence on the Indo-Naga political issue.
WC in a statement described RPP as an unorganised group “struggling to understand the complexities of the current Indo-Naga political discourse” and also failing to grasp the nuances of the issues at hand that reflected poorly of its capacity to engage meaningfully.
WC opined that, initially, many educated sons and daughters of Naga national workers had appreciated RPP’s programmes. However, it said recklessly engaging with such a sensitive topic that had cost countless lives in the past was unwise and that “respecting the past is crucial for the living.”.
WC said that RPP, a registered Indian political party, has been notably ineffective as it has failed to nominate even a single suitable candidate in state general election. It said RPP’s role has become “more obstructive than constructive”, which hindered developmental initiatives in the state. WC said RPP as an Indian political party registered in Nagaland, appeared to undermine Naga history, identity and political aspirations. It accused RPP of disrupting the ongoing Indo-Naga peace process through negative commentary in the media and unacceptable that it was done under the auspices of an Indian political party.
WC maintained that such propositions, whether positive or negative, if articulated by a loyal citizen may be sanctioned but cannot be tolerated if it came from a registered political party within the State. WC also maintained that RPP as a political party and not a negotiating entity, had no right to intervene in the peace process. It questioned whether RPP had any agenda or suggestive inputs beneficial to the common people? If so, then why had RPP not convened a meeting with all Naga political groups to sit across the table and discuss their views?
WC asked “What do the RPP want the Government of India to do? Do the RPP know the ground reality?”
Further, WC slammed RPP for linking former interlocutor R.N. Ravi with conjuring the Agreed Position for the Nagas of Nagaland. WC said this was “fundamentally misguided and lacks credibility” and dismissed the assertion as “one stemming from complete ignorance” which was baseless and misleading.
WC expressed concern at RPP’s reference to the ‘Agreed Position’ (AP) of November 17, 2017, as an agreement meant solely for the “Nagas of Nagaland”. WC said such a view reflected a lack of understanding of both AP and the critical ‘Status Paper’.
WC maintained that the ‘Status Paper’ was crafted with extensive effort, resources and prayer support. Every page in the status paper reflected careful negotiation between Centre and NNPGs, honouring Naga history and identity, which provided political and administrative recognition of Nagas across Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam,it said.
WC also took strong exception to RPP’s criticism of Centre’s current representative A.K. Mishra’s visits to Nagaland, alleging that his visits was a “waste of public resources.”
WC reminded that as a newly formed Indian political party, RPP should exhibit a clear understanding of the current Indo-Naga political situation. It said RPP should act as a popular political party and not as bloggers on social media as many of its members were formerly associated with ‘ACAUT’ Nagaland.
WC said RPP had failed to represent the complexities and realities surrounding the “Agreed Position” signed between the Government of India and the NNPGs.
It asserted that anyone claiming the ‘Agreed Position’ was only for Nagas of Nagaland was displaying a “traitorous mindset” . WC further questioned whether certain individuals, organisations, or entities were influencing RPP’s statements from behind the scenes? And that only time would eventually reveal the truth.