Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 23
Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio today conveyed the appeal of the 13th House of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) to all sections of Naga society and to the negotiating parties of the political dialogue to “rise above all else, so that we work in unison for the common good of all Nagas.”
“Let us unite as one Naga family,” Rio said in his remark after a short statement made by Nagaland’s School Education & SCERT Advisor KT Sukhalu on matters of Urgent Public Importance pertaining to the Naga political issue on the floor of the House.
“Let us all put our best possible efforts towards achieving a solution that is honourable, inclusive and acceptable, and thereby begin a new era of peace, progress and development, wherein Nagas increase our contributions towards the forward march of this great nation,” Rio said.
Rio informed that the Indo-Naga political imbroglio has been at the core of Naga society for several decades and remains central “in our concerns even today.”
“For this House too, it is at the top of our agenda and in the course of the past four years, the Members of this House have undertaken discussions and deliberations on several occasions within the floor of this House and outside the House,” he said.
Rio further maintained that the present government has given utmost importance to the Naga political issue and made every possible effort to play the role of active facilitator for early solution.
The State Government in Nagaland has formed an opposition-less United Democratic Front (UDA) Government with the “singular motive to facilitate the peace process,” he added.
He said that the Parliamentary Committee on Naga Political Issue and the Core Committee were formed on June 10, 2021 comprising of representatives from all political parties represented in the NLA, setting aside all their differences.
GOI acknowledged
Rio also lauded Government of India (GoI) for acknowledging the unique history of the Nagas and for recognising the Naga issue as a political issue.
On behalf of the NLA, he also extended the appreciation for the sacrifices and contributions of the Naga national workers in the course of the Naga political journey and towards the Naga political aspiration for permanent peace.
Describing the signing of the Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015 after over 80 rounds of talks as historic occasion, he said “we continue to extend our support and appreciation towards honouring the agreement.”
“The Agreed Position signed on 17th November 2017 was greatly significant and further strengthened the progress of the negotiations. We reiterate our appreciation to the signatories of both the documents and to the Government of India for exhibiting sincere commitment in our collective efforts to resolve the decades old political imbroglio,” he said.
On September Joint Accordant
Rio also welcomed with “great satisfaction” the signing of the September Joint Accordant on September 14 by the Naga Political Groups under the initiative of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation(FNR).
Commending the NSCN-IM and the WC, NNPGs’ for commitment to move forward through dialogue and live together in Peace, Rio expressed appreciation of this House to the signatories of the Joint Accordant and also to the facilitator, the FNR.
“Such a spirit of understanding and a willingness to live together in peace is definitely the way forward and I am confident that with such oneness, we will be able to reach our desired goal sooner than later,” Rio said.
There is an overwhelming cry for a final solution amongst all sections of the people, he said adding that the present State Government and the Parliamentary Committee on Naga Political Issue continue to make efforts, to the extent of supporting for early solution, even before the NLA due in early 2023.
Needs mature approach
Rio said that a political issue that has stretched for several decades and involves the longest standing insurgency of the entire region needs a mature approach.
“The present ceasefire and talks have been going on for more than two decades, and we feel that it more than enough time for all sides to understand and appreciate each other in a manner that we are able to reach a desired conclusion by achieving a settlement, Rio said.
He said that Nagas have been impacted for decades by the political conflict and the unresolved Indo-Naga political issue.
“Generations of our youth have faced untold hurdles in striving towards their aspirations or have failed to achieve their ambitions, due to the challenges of the political movement,” he said.
The inherent talents and genius of the Naga people deserve to be given the opportunity to achieve excellence and helped in nation building process and towards the better good of humanity, he added.
Unity imperative
Earlier, making a statement on the floor of the House, Sukhalu said that it is unfortunate that despite the efforts of all the Members of the 13th NLA to bring about an early settlement of the Naga Political Issue, it is being misinterpreted by few individuals and groups, suggesting that the State Government is not doing enough.
“We are at the crucial stage of discussions between the negotiating parties and it is imperative that we stand united at this point,” he said.
Irrespective of where we may stand on any other issues, the issue is paramount and cannot be compromised, he said adding: “Therefore, we all need to be careful with our statements and utterances and have a united voice for an early settlement of the Naga Political Issue.”
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