Correspondent KOHIMA, AUG 4 (NPN) : After the proposal for an opposition-less legislative assembly is being considered, the 8th session of the current 13th NLA got underway here Tuesday where the Naga political issue dominated the proceedings on the first day.
The discussion saw various shades of opinions come to the fore as 15 members participated including the leader of the house and leader of the opposition.
The discussion on Naga political issue was initiated by minister of planning and member-secretary of the committees, Neiba Kronu under matter of urgent public importance.
Rio urges unity: After several members spoke, leader of the house and chief minister Neiphiu Rio in his concluding remarks, thanked all who participated at the highest forum of democracy in the state to carry the aspirations and wishes of the people.
Rio begun by touching on divisions within the underground set up where 12 different groups have emerged. Even in the over-ground, he said people were divided among tribal, political and social lines where even the centenary of Naga Club was celebrated by two different organisations.
Rio said despite legislators not being perfect and always accused of wrongdoings, yet since 1964 the elected members, leaving all political affiliations and ideologies, have consistently and unanimously passed 12 resolutions on Naga political issue. Rio pointed out that PDA and NPF legislators had issued a joint statement in public domain on Naga political issue as per the directive of union home minister Amit Shah. Also as per the insistence of the NPF, he said all 60 MLAs and two MPs were included in a newly named Parliamentary Committee for Naga political issue. Due to the second lockdown, the core committee was formed and resolution passed on July 9.
Rio said both the Framework Agreement of NSCN (I-M) and the Agreed Position of NNPGs had a lot of similarities and so efforts were made to have both the groups reconcile their differences.
On the issue of Naga flag and constitution, (which have kept solution suspended after all official negotiations concluded on October 31, 2019), Rio said union home minister Amit Shah did not reject them but assured to discuss them post-solution.
On integration, Rio claimed that Shah said it was not possible immediately but that Nagas can have emotional integration through a Pan Naga hoho with its own flag. Rio also claimed that Shah said he was willing even to unfurl the Pan Naga Hoho flag on the occasion of its celebration.
On Naga constitution, Rio said it could be discussed minutely by Naga stakeholders, tribal leaders, civil society organisations etc so as to have a meeting point for the Naga aspiration.
Zeliang’s plea: Leader of the Opposition, T.R. Zeliang said August 3, 2021 marks six years after signing of the Framework Agreement between the government of India and NSCN (I-M) and also four years after signing of Agreed Position on November 17, 2017 between the government of India and NNPGs.
Zeliang said these agreements raised hopes of early settlement to the vexed Naga political issue and high time that all legislators pursue early solution as desired by Nagas with the government of India.
He said the two major milestones, the signing of the Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015 and the Agreed Position on November 17, 2017, should not be left idle out without reaching a logical conclusion.
He however said due to the current stalemate between the Naga Political Groups and government of India, final solution could not be inked and which was a cause for great concern.
He also expressed the hope the all elected members of newly formed committees for Naga political issue as suggested by his party (NPF) would rise to the occasion despite criticisms levelled against the committees and work whole heartedly for realisation of early solution.
He said the formation of the Parliamentary Committee, was the right platform to invite for better understanding between the two groups and which could help both to arrive at mutual understanding.
Zeliang also expressed dismay at the souring of relationship between the NSCN (I-M) and government of India’s Interlocutor R.N. Ravi where each blamed the other over misinterpretation of certain clauses in the FA that has only caused confusion among people.
Against this backdrop, Zeliang urged upon elected members to stand for what was right for the Nagas, sort out the differences at the earliest through proper dialogue so that things would materialize.
He also said NPF has no agenda for proposing an all-party government but was only to help facilitate the Naga Political Issue.
He also said the concept of Opposition-less Government should not be for cheap political gains but rather to strengthen the progress of the negotiations and also to fulfil the aspirations of the Naga People.
Zeliang also said till the proposal was yet to complete NPF members will continue to maintain status quo as opposition and he also will remain leader of the opposition.
He also hoped that the BJP led NDA Government at the Centre would stand true to the slogan of the BJP Party of the State during 2018 election “Election for Solution” adding that Prime Minister and Union Home Minister has shown great political will-power to resolve the Naga Issue unlike their predecessors.
Planning and coordination, land revenue and parliamentary affairs, Neiba Kronu said the formation of Parliamentary Committee for Naga political issue under the Core Committee comprising of 22 members was to discuss the political issue in detail.
He highlighted the activities of the Core Committee and cautioned that if the Naga political issue was not resolved, it will hamper the entire system and society after both the government of India and the Naga groups have reached such a crucial stage.
Also taking part in the discussion minister Kashiho Sangtam suggested that the Parliamentary Committee or the Core Committee should negotiate with NSCN (I-M) and 7 NNPGs appealing to sort out their differences and come together for the Naga people.
Minister Tongpang Ozukum, while appreciating the supreme sacrifices made by the Naga Political Groups since the beginning of the movement, also appealed to them to forget and forgive the past mistakes and to come together as one. He said that the Government is convinced and committed as before, with more trust and confidence on one another, to give concerted efforts in giving a push to the Naga Political Issue, so as to arrive at a peaceful solution in the interest of the Nagas.
Advisor Khehovi Yepthomi said that when the government of India was showing seriousness in solving the Naga issue, the opportunity must not be missed as delay and neglect will only give birth to more political groups.
Advisor Pukhayi maintained that any resolution that NLA passes should not contradict to any group but the voice of the August House should conclude in a peaceful settlement.
NPF MLA Yitachu said that Naga struggle was one of the longest struggles within the Indian Union that has been going on for 97 years. Yitachu said the blame game between NSCN (I-M) and Interlocutor, of changing “goal posts” is not going to bring solution and asked whether this changing of goal post was to keep the Nagas in confusion?.
He said as opposition members, joining the government for an opposition-less government was an act of cowardice yet they have decided to swallow their pride to move for an all party government to give final push for settlement in upholding the manifesto of the party. Yitachu exuded confidence that the 60 members coming together will send a positive signal to the central government, and the two negotiating groups while endorsing the motion moved by Neiba Kronu.
NDPP MLA H. Chuba Chang said 7 NNPGs were ready to sign the agreement but NSCN (I-M) was not. He asked what else does NSCN(I-M) want when “Yehzabo” can be discussed post solution. He said Naga issue can be solved only politically and called all the leaders to unite in finding a lasting solution which was acceptable to all.
Y.M Yollow Konyak NPF MLA reminded that it will be difficult for every member to step down after 2023 election(to pave way). He said the negotiating parties should also think about the elected members and should come together and sort out the differences.
Advisor Dr. Longrineken suggested for a resolution appealing the two groups NSCN (IM) and 7 NPPGs to negotiate with the GoI as united Naga and hammer out the differences and sacrifices for the future generation.
Framework agreement not defined: Imkong
Supporting the motion moved by minister Neiba Kronu, opposition MLA Imkong L Imchen elaborated on the different dimensions of Naga Political struggle – Naga political talks of the 1960s between the Government of India (GoI) and the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) and GoI recognition of the NSCN (IM) leadership and Working Committee of NNPGs in sequence.
Imchen pointed out that the definition/ interpretation of the sentences entered in Framework Agreement was never defined consequent upon which the interpretation of GoI and NSCN (IM) differ frequently making it an obstacle in the due process of negotiations.
He mentioned that two different agreements were signed: Framework Agreement officially signed in presence of the Prime Minister and another “The Agreed Position” with NNPGs by Interlocutor R N Ravi. However he said after being appointed as Governor even while being the Interlocutor for Naga talks, Ravi could not be made available as required.
Imchen said Nagas desire for peaceful existence was becoming unbearable and said whatever the high valued political agenda one may have, practical politics always was with the spirit of give and take and not winner takes all as in contemporary politics.
Imchen pointed out that both NSCN (I-M) and government of India have to come down and mad a compromising position and if they were serious about settlement, then solution was lying underneath.
Dr. Chumben Murry NPF MLA proposed that the Core Committee on behalf of the Parliamentary Committee call on Central leaders and urge them to be magnanimous on the issue of flag while at the same time have more discussion be held with NSCN (I-M) to urge it to re-consider their stand on the line of the conclusion of negotiations on October 31, 2019 in the interest of the younger generation and posterity.
Further he asked whether the members can proactively facilitate to bring about a re-visit to the Naga Concordant signed on August 26, 2011 and bring about a Covenant of sort based on these two monumental documents – the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position adding that this task will not be insurmountable as the connotation of the two documents are basically the same.
He also pointed out that the Core Committee must now meet the Tribal bodies, its women wings and the students’ bodies to make the desire for solution a mass movement while the Churches need to be involved to build emotional and spiritual support in the move towards solution.
Murry said basing on point 2 & 3 of the Core Committee resolution; the two negotiating groups must come together to a common platform within six months and that GoI and the Naga negotiating groups should culminate the talks with a further six months and ink an inclusive agreement.
Whichever group cannot sign agreement should abrogate cease-fire, says Azo
Senior NPF legislator Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu, made a bold and frank statement while asking which among the two negotiating groups, was holding back solution? Azo said the government of India must be bold enough to call for round table conference of the stakeholders and see their positions for solution.
He said whichever group does not want to sign the agreement, should be brave enough to abrogate the ceasefire and go back to their camps. Azo said today the desire to end the political issue was to also end taxes, threat, intimidation, extortion, kidnapping etc. He said people are totally fed up of all these activities and that prices of all commodities continue to rise due to multiple taxations in the name of peace process.
Without naming the political group Azo said the cadre strength has gone to more than 11,000 from the previous estimate of around 2000 members. He asked the members whether they will watch silently as situation becomes more intolerable. Azo said it was time for the government to show its existence and put all these things to an end.
Being a mandated government, Azo said it should not allow multiple governments to function as self styled mandated governments.
Azo also said occupying the chair does not mean that the elected members were clever as there are more clever people watching. He said the house should show political will and it should be “now” and not after 2023 state general election, since then, no one will be willing to vacate the chair.
NLA adopts 5-point resolution
The house unanimously passed the 5-point resolution, earlier adopted by the Parliamentary Core Committee on Naga Political Issue on July 9. NLA speaker Sharingain Longkumer put the resolution for adoption through voice vote, which was unanimously adopted.
1. The House appeals to the negotiating Parties of the Indo-Naga Political dialogue to resume the Peace Talks with a positive approach and mutual respect for each other by setting aside pre-conditions, indifference to the Naga people’s cry for long term peace, and resolve the contentious issues of the competencies at the earliest.
2. The House appeals to all Naga Political Groups to make serious efforts towards unity and reconciliation. The constant antagonism against each other, especially in public space and the media is sending out a wrong message to the masses, considering the fact that we are all pursuing the same aspiration of peace and political solution. Taking the positive example set by the elected Members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, who have risen above Party affiliations to unite for the Naga Political Issue, the Naga Political groups should make concerted efforts, and listen to the voice of the people for unity and oneness.
3. The House, while appreciating the constant role and contributions of the Churches, Civil Societies and the NGOs towards facilitating peace and strengthening the peace process, appeals to the Civil Societies, mass-based Organizations and the Tribal Hohos to make renewed efforts towards creating a conducive atmosphere for the early realization of a political solution by pursuing unity, reconciliation and oneness.
4. All Members of this House have come together under the same banner in line with the election manifestos of all Political Parties committing themselves to the people that all the elected Members are prepared to make any sacrifices for an inclusive, honorable and acceptable solution.
5. The House, therefore, appeals to the Naga political negotiating groups to come together in order to hammer out their differences, and give the people One Solution and One Agreement.
Leave a Reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked (required)