CCoNPI holds meet with NSCN (I-M) leaders

July 22, 2021 38 Views No Comment

SEEKS TO BRING 2 NPGS TOGETHER FOR POLITICAL CONSENSUS

Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, JUL 22 (NPN) :Core Committee on Naga political Issue (CCoNPI) led by its convener, chief minister Neiphiu Rio and others, held a meeting with NSCN (I-M) leaders led by its chief negotiator and ato kilonser Th. Muivah at Rhodendron Hall, Police Complex Chümoukedima Wednesday.

The Committee earlier held a meeting Tuesday with the seven-member Working Committee (WC) of the NNPGs at Niathu Resort.
The CCoNPI comprises of all elected members of Nagaland formed with the objective of bringing two Naga negotiating groups together for one agreement, one solution.

While NNPGs signed the Agreed Position with the government of India in 2017, the NSCN(I-M) signed the Framework Agreement with the GoI in 2015.
After the meeting on Wednesday , the NSCN (I-M) delegation besides CCoNPI convener Neiphiu Rio and co-convener Y. Patton also left the venue separately without meeting the media.

CCoNPI co-convenor and leader of opposition, TR Zeliang, who briefed the media, described the meeting as “smooth sailing” and said that both parties understood each other’s intentions.

Zeliang said that the committee expected both the Naga negotiating groups (NNPGs and NSCN-IM) to sit across table along with the facilitators (60 elected members) to arrive at a consensus for solution.

Zeliang also disclosed that CCoNPI requested the NSCN (I-M) leadership to resume talks with the Government of India. He said CCoNPI as “facilitator” will pursue the matter with the government of India on behalf of NSCN (I-M) for a meeting ground.

On state political issue, when asked about NPF’s decision to join the ruling PDA government, Zeliang reiterated that NPF had agreed to the “concept of opposition-less government because of the Naga political issue”.

He claimed that even though the opposition and ruling agree on issues in the assembly, there were differences outside the house. Therefore, he said that if both were together in the government, there was a way by which the government of India would listen to them( all-party government) for a common approach.

He said it was with that perception that NPF had agreed to the concept of opposition-less government.

The Legislature party spokesperson Imkong L Imchen also asserted that the objective of NPF joining PDA alliance was “for active facilitation”. He said that NPF was there to facilitate the different factions so that a common Naga agenda could be found and be presented to the government of India.
Asked whether all NPF legislators were aware of the decision, he said only 18 legislators ( out 25) were present at the meeting . He said the seven did not attend for “reasons best known them.”

It may be noted that the seven NPF rebels have been suspended from the party and disqualification case is pending in the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench.

CCoNPI member- secretary and minister Neiba Kronu said that the committee was “very aggressive this time and are very serious” about Naga political solution.

When asked about the purpose of an all-party government, Kronu said the intention this time was with a purpose—Naga political solution.

Meanwhile, senior NSCN (I-M) leader Rh Raising has reportedly told a regional TV channel that the need to arrive at early solution was stressed at the meeting.

Raising, however, stated that separate flag and constitution continued to be an issue of contention.

On whether NSCN (I-M) would sit across the table with NNPGs to sort out differences, Raising said NSCN (I-M) had already declared that it was willing to accept “all our brothers in different camps” if they join the process together under the Framework Agreement.

The meeting was attended by 16 members of the CCoNPI led by its convenor and chief minister Neiphiu Rio while the 15-member team of the NSCN (I-M) was led by its ato kilonser Th. Muivah where yaruiwo Q. Tuccu, kedallo Tongmeth Wangnao and attended the meeting.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/cconpi-holds-meet-with-nscn-i-m-leaders/236767.html