GoI meets NSCN (IM) and WC NNPGs representatives

April 14, 2023 45 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 14

The Government of India (GoI) on Thursday held separate meetings with the NSCN (IM) and the Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs) at Police Complex, Chümoukedima.

The GoI team was led by interlocutor for Naga peace talks, AK Mishra and accompanied by Intelligence Bureau Joint Director Mandeep Singh Tulli and Nagaland Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau director Don Jose.

The 20-member NSCN (IM) team was led by the Secretary General Th Muivah while Convenor N Kitovi Zhimomi led the 10-member WC NNPGs delegation.

While the closed-door ‘informal’ meetings were described as cordial, sources said strong messages were conveyed at least by representatives of one of the NPGs.

“The outcome is positive and we have agreed to seek solution on the basis of the Framework Agreement,” NSCN (IM) leader Rh Raising told reporters after coming out of the meeting.

Meanwhile, an NSCN (IM) source, who was part of the delegation, informed that while no substantive issues were discussed, both sides agreed to find “amicable and acceptable solution” based on the Framework Agreement, signed on August 3, 2015.

“For further process there is no fixed schedule,” the source added when queried on whether any future meetings.
Sources informed that the issues of Naga Flag and Constitution remain contentious.

The meeting with the WC, NNPGs was held later in the afternoon.

At the meeting, WC, NNPGs leaders led by Convener Kitovi “clearly expressed their dissatisfaction” to the GoI representatives at the inordinate delay in resolving the Naga because “everything has been agreed, mutually discussed and accepted by both entities and are in the public domain,” a member of the delegation informed.

The delegation further conveyed that the delay was causing great harm and anxiety to the Naga people, G Naga, Secretary WC, NNPGs said.

The leaders told the Indian representatives that if the trends continue they should be “bold and tell the WC that there will not be any solution,” he said.

The leaders asserted that there should be clarity on this matter, he said, adding that “this in a way would allow the WC to regroup, rethink and strategise, whatever is to be done.”

The leaders told three GoI representatives the Naga people are “very upset” that they are taken for a ride and this is not how a responsible democratic nation like India should act, when the Prime Minister and Home Minister on so many occasions have stated their sincerity to resolve the Naga issue, he informed. “This is creating trust deficit,” he said.

When queried on the response from the GoI representatives, the Secretary said that the former informed that the GoI is “very sincere and would like to resolve the Naga issue at the earliest.”

However, they conveyed that the GoI does not want any “violence or bloodshed” to take place – be it Indians or Nagas and accordingly said that it is working towards having everyone on board before the final agreement is signed, he said.

The representatives conveyed that it is very important for the Naga people to maintain patience because this issue is something unprecedented and that GoI is committed and wants the agreement to be inclusive while not wishing to leave out anyone, he added.

He further maintained that the representatives also “apologised for the delay” but expressed hope that political leadership will take a decision very soon.

“We also clearly told them that since every core issues have been discussed, the delay is causing great anxiety to the Naga people and the GoI representatives need not call us or invite us for mere sitting,” he added.

There has to be visible progress, concrete steps so that both sides can move ahead what has already been negotiated, he maintained.

However, the WC, NNPGS official stressed that if necessary, the communication lines will remain open from both sides and as and when they have to meet they will meet; but informed that as of now, no meeting is scheduled in the coming days.

“Nowadays these are informal meetings we need not make any sort of appointment. If there is anything to be discussed or requirement for a meeting, then it can be done in a couple of days or so,” he added.