Crucial Naga talks on Oct 31, Working Committee to meet RN Ravi for preparing solution blueprint

October 29, 2018 1677 Views No Comment

Working Committee (WC) comprising of top leaders of six Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) will be holding a crucial meeting with the Government of India’s interlocutor to the Naga political talks, R.N. Ravi on October 31, 2018 to chart a blueprint for arriving at a solution.

The first official level talks between the Centre through its Interlocutor R.N. Ravi and the Working Committee took place on October 23, 2017. Disclosing this to Nagaland Post, a senior functionary of the Working Committee also revealed that the group’s negotiations are based on the preamble signed with the Government of India’s representative(s) led by R.N. Ravi on November 17, 2017.

Top leaders of NNPGs are already in Delhi to attend the crucial meeting including GPRN/NSCN President Neokpao Konyak, Ato Kilonser N. Kitovi Zhimomi and other senior members.

The functionary also disclosed that the contours of the negotiation on October 31 could well be the basis for eventual settlement after obtaining the nod from Parliament.

Among those in the agenda includes proposal for a bicameral house- upper house (Leacy/legislative council) comprising of nominated members and the lower house (Federal/legislative assembly) comprising of elected members. The two houses will be known as Tatar Hoho, as per the nomenclature in the Naga political lexicon.

Some speculated that the issue of integration was also a high point discussed which the Government of India had time and again, recognised the innate desire of the Nagas but expressed inability to accede since the affected states will first have to also agree.

On this basis, the negotiation involving the Working Committee of the NNPGs with the Government of India also includes proposal for creation of autonomous districts in Naga inhabited areas in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.

When asked whether any of the group had contacted Khango-led NSCN (K), the functionary said there may be likelihood of holding such a meet.

According to the functionary, the Working Committee would not jettison the integration issue, even if it was currently not achievable without the consent of all states, but would continue to support demands of Nagas in other states even including Myanmar.

As per the agreement signed on November 17, 2017 between NNPGs WC and Government of India, the latter “recognized the political and historical rights of the Nagas to self determine their future in consonance with their distinct identity” and both the sides agreed to work out a relationship that “is honourable, inclusive and enduring for peaceful co-existence.”