The Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (WC/NNPGs) led by N Kitovi Zhimomi have pointed out a major omission as contained in a letter written by 21 Rajya Sabha MPs to Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently in seeking update on Naga peace process, and expressing their concern on the need of a full-time interlocutor including transparency in negotiations.
WC/NNPGs in a statement noted that the emphasis of the 21 MPs only on the Framework Agreement reflected a total ignorance of the ground reality. WC/NNPGs pointed out that there were two agreements– Agreed Position (AP) signed between the Central government and the committee on November 17, 2017 and Framework Agreement signed between the Centre and NSCN (I-M) on August 3, 2015.
WC/NNPGs said the essence of both the agreements was in bringing about a peaceful resolution to the protracted Indo-Naga conflict. However, WC said the 21 MPs had contradicted this by their ignorance when they overlooked the hard-earned Agreed Position.
While expressing resentment, WC also said the demand of the MPs for a new interlocutor was also due to ignorance of knowing the detailed ground reality and an attempt to delay the solution when the peace talks had already been completed on October 31, 2019 and the Nagas now anticipating an early solution.
WC reminded the MPs that during the fifth session of Nagaland Legislative Assembly, the then governor had informed the house on January 17, 2020 that years of prolonged negotiations between the central government and NNPGs had been successfully concluded on October 31, 2019.
Subsequently, it said the Parliamentary Standing Committee under the chairmanship of P Chidambaram submitted the Naga Peace Accord to Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on July 19, 2018.
As the Centre had reached an understanding with the NSCN (I-M), which agreed for a settlement within Indian federation with a special status, the WC said the interlocutor informed the Parliamentary Standing Committee that this was a departure from their earlier position of “with India, not within India”.
Hence, the committee asserted that the question of a new interlocutor did not arise unless there was any new agenda to be included in the agreement. WC/NNPGs appealed the 21 MPs to carry forward their valuable support in honouring both the agreements for achieving a peaceful, honourable, acceptable, and inclusive solution.