‘Don’t give room for pessimism in peace process’

Kohima, March 28 (EMN): The highest priority of Democratic Alliance of Nagaland government has been how to facilitate the peaceful resolution of the Naga political issue, and towards this objective, it has been very proactive right from day one and will continue to do so.

This was stated by chief minister Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu in the state Assembly while delivering his budget speech. He highlighted that the erstwhile Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the DAN government, formed soon after DAN-I was installed, was recently renamed ‘Political Affairs Mission’ (PAM) with the view to giving a new thrust and a mission approach to the peaceful resolution of the protracted Naga political issue.

The chief minister also reminded subsequent tenures of the DAN government have had meetings and exchange of ideas with various Naga political groups and even the leaders in New Delhi.

“While admitting that our best efforts during these last 15 years are yet to yield the desired or expected final outcome, let me say that we should give no room for pessimism or despair to come in our way,” Liezietsu stated.

With the signing of “framework agreement” between the government of India and the NSCN (IM) in August 2015, and the active interest shown by the Government of India to take the Naga political issue forward to its logical and peaceful conclusion, let us all hope for a positive outcome in the near future, he added.

Later after the session, when asked about his knowledge on the “framework agreement”, the chief minister said, “We are yet to know what will be the type of agreement signed between the two (negotiating) groups”. Reiterating that the DAN government supported the peace process with a special emphasis on ‘inclusiveness’, he however reminded that the government was not party to the negotiation and while the news is doing the rounds that the two negotiating parties were nearing a point to conclude to the agreement, it was not known how they will take action.

Liezietsu also lamented that the Nagas after starting the movement as one family, but have now split into many different groups over the years. He underscored the need for all to appeal to the different groups to come together.

On the recent news and rebuttals about a final settlement to the Naga issue that were being highlighted in the media, the chief minister said these could be a “tactical move”.