Working Committee (WC) of the 7-member Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) through its media cell, has slammed the recent developments in Nagaland regarding constitution of the core committee on Naga political issue and formation of an opposition-less government.
WC reminded that till a few weeks back, both ruling and opposition were at each other’s throats with multiple accusations on “all proven thefts and robberies of developmental projects and public welfare schemes” in public domain. However, it said all these “are now wiped clean” after they have come together for an “opposition-less government.”
WC also hit out at the Core Committee on Naga Political issue comprising of all legislators with whom it had met on July 20,2021. WC said it was unfortunate that some elected members were unaware of their constitutional duties to the state they belong to and people they represent. WC also said as elected members owe allegiance to the Indian constitution, they ought to exhibit it by rule.
Furthermore, WC said “most Naga legislators are more concerned for the welfare of Manipur state citizens or indulge in disturbing the sovereignty of Myanmar.” It reiterated that the Naga issue and solution should be left to Naga negotiators who are negotiating for all Nagas under different Indian states including Myanmar.
WC reminded state legislators that the government of India under prime minister Narendra Modi officially appointed the Interlocutor to negotiate with Naga political parties to solve the “Indo-Naga political issue.”
WC said when the official position and status paper of the government of India and WC,NNPGs was in the hands of legislators, Naga Tribal hohos, GBs and Civil Societies, “it is not wise for legislators to believe and spread fake news on Naga issue.”
On all elected members of the Nagaland legislative assembly planning to sit with all Naga negotiating groups, WC said these very same legislators had met Naga leaders formally and informally on countless times “albeit using different nomenclatures for Naga solution.” WC such consultative meetings have “become a fruitless exercise with each sitting becoming more and more monotonous, a story telling hours.”
WC also said the NSCN (I-M) has been insisting that solution be within the Framework Agreement (FA) (signed with the government of India on August 3, 2015). WC said it along with Naga tribes were aware that the FA had “deliberately omitted Naga political conflict till 1955, because it (FA) says Naga political issue is around six decades old and announced the leaders were happy that talks had successfully concluded, appreciating and understanding the intricacies of the Indian system(constitution). “
On the recognition of uniqueness of Naga history, WC said “even the history and evolution of every clan, tribe and nation, be it in Africa, America or Asia is unique”. WC said this cannot be interpreted or compared to government of India recognizing Nagas having rights to self determine their future.
WC said as per the Agreed Position which it signed with the government of India on November 17,2017, it clearly stated that “..GoI recognizes the political and historical rights of Nagas to self determine their future in consonance with their distinct identity.”
WC reminded the Nagaland legislators that since the government of India had officially concluded political negotiations with all negotiating groups on October 31,2019 which Naga legislators are aware of, therefore, instead of meetings as “facilitators” they should rather urge the government of India to announce the date of signing of the agreement in line with the “ruling party’s pre-election slogan- Election for Solution” as desired by Nagas.
Therefore WC said it believed that the Nagaland government’s Core Committee on Naga issue has understood its(WC) position “perfectly” and if further meeting were needed to sort out matters, then it is the prerogative of the government of India through the Interlocutor to convey it to WC, NNPGs.