Assembly adopts resolution on Naga political issue

CM conveys New Delhi of united stand

Kohima Bureau
Kohima, Dec. 15 (EMN): Nagaland Legislative Assembly has adopted the resolution on Naga political issue on the second day of the 19th session of the 12th assembly on Dec. 15.
Along with other points the the resolution essentially urged the Government of India to take ’emergent and extraordinary’ steps to usher in an ‘honourable and acceptable’ solution to the Naga political issue before the assembly elections and also urged the Election Commission of India not to announce the elections till then.
While appreciating the Government of India for showing their sincerity and commitment, Minister Health and Family welfare Imkong L. Imchen termed the passing of resolutions at this juncture as ‘paramount’. He said ‘it is loud and clear that the Naga people desire for early solution’.
Seeking the support of all concerned, Mmhonlumo Kikon asserted that ‘our youths should not succumb to such circumstances in future; as such we have to be united and sincere on this protracted Naga political issue.’ MLA, Hukavi participating in the debate strongly asserted against ‘dilution’ with issues on tribal lines, which he said it coming to an end. He maintained that Nagas need unity at this juncture and learn how to co-exist and ‘not to bring or mix any other issues’ to dilute the anticipated final solution.
Endorsing the resolution, C. Apok Jamir commented that Naga people have attained maturity to take steps as far as the Naga political issue is concerned and urged the Naga people to give concerted efforts in resolving the issue.
In his response, Chief Minister TR Zeliang while appreciating the coalition partners for their unanimous support on the Naga political issue maintained it is the most important issue for every Naga both for the present and future generation.
He expressed that as far as the Naga political issue is concerned, he said the decision is taken unanimously and based on consensus and stated his delight that the atmosphere in the state is by and large peaceful.
After the assembly, while talking to the media, when the chief minister was asked how far the state government was taking steps to bring the NSCN(K) onboard the negotiating table, Zeliang said the government had in 2016 sent a delegation comprising of the Naga Hoho and the ENPO to meet the group’s leader SS Khaplang (before he died) to come back and sign the ceasefire agreement for the sake of Naga people and for the sake of peace.
The request was also made so that the government of India and its Myanmar counterpart can also come together and negotiate for the Naga people living in the two countries. He said delegates of NMA, Naga Students Federation and ENSF had also gone to meet the leaders of the group with the same message, and such efforts were being continued. While admitting that so far there had been no positive response on the ceasefire issue, Zeliang said Khaplang had conveyed that the efforts of the state government was taken well and they would discuss further, taking the matter seriously.
However, when asked if the government has made any communication with the new leadership of NSCN (K) after the death of Khaplang June last, he replied in the negative. The chief minister said nothing was heard from the new leadership of the group yet but “we keep on sending emissaries and we will continue to do that”.
Later in the evening the CMO informed that the chief minister had written to the Central leaders and those involved in the peace process about the resolution which was sent along with a copy of the day’s assembly resolution appended by the house speaker.
The copies of the letter was sent to President of India Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Interlocutor for Naga Peace Talks and Chairman of JIC, RN Ravi.
(Full text of resolution click here)