Says peace process remains party’s priority
Our Correspondent
Kohima, March 9: Against the backdrop of criticism for a leadership conflict within the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) following the recent change of guard in the government, the party’s newly appointed spokesperson Achumbemo Kikon today denied of any tussle of power within the party.
Interacting with newspersons at Hotel Japfü, Kohima, this evening, NPF spokesperson said the State has a new government formed by the same political party adding the objective of the government and the party remains the same. He said the party was fortunate to have a seasoned veteran regional leader in the person of Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu at the helms of affairs and expressed confidence that the State is safe in the hands of the new chief minister. Kikon said the party will continue to take up whatever has been mentioned in the party’s constitution as well as its election manifesto with the Naga peace process on priority.
When asked to comment on the way the people who have been condemning the 16 Point Agreement and the ‘Bedrock of the Naga Society’ authored by Dr. SC Jamir are today championing the Article 371A which was born out of the same agreement, the party spokesperson said as far as the NPF is concerned, the Naga political issue does not end with the 16 Point Agreement or Article 371A. Maintaining that the Nagas have the right to more than Article 371A, he pointed out that the concept of the Nagas struggle and the Naga national movement is for the integration of the whole Nagas and not just for the Nagas of Nagaland. And Article 371A is meant only for the Nagas of Nagaland, he stated.
Citing the party’s aims and objectives in its constitution, he said the party would work for the unity of the people by integrating all contiguous Naga inhabited areas under one administrative roof and also to provide protection to all the ethnic groups who are indigenous inhabitants of all Naga inhabited areas. The NPF stands for the entire Nagas, wherever they are, he added.He pointed out that the Nagas have been divided without consultation, with some of them within the “Indian union” and another chunk of Naga areas in Myanmar. Stating that Nagas on the “Indian side” were fortunate to be educated to a large extent- though economically they are yet to catch up with other states, he said it is now the duty and responsibility of all the Nagas of Nagaland, Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh to think and do something for the Nagas of Myanmar whose living conditions remains ‘pathetic.’
“If we are to articulate and provocate a concept of ‘Nagas of Nagaland’, I think we are going backward. It will be too unfair on our part. The NPF party wishes to appeal to all the Naga people to think ‘beyond the box’ and revert our thinking to a wider perspective,” he said.
Towards this, he said the Nagas who are on the Indian side are duty bound to uplift their brothers and sisters in Myanmar along with them. “If we start thinking of a small area like the Nagas of Nagaland, I think the purpose of the Naga movement will be defeated because that was not the concept on which the movement started,” he added.
Commenting on the recent fallout from the ULB issue in the State, the NPF spokesperson termed some of the incidents as very unfortunate saying, “As far as the NPF is concerned, the party upholds the inherent rights of the Nagas and also the provision of Article 371A of the Constitution of India. At the same time, we also propagate, promote and uphold women’s rights,” he asserted. He expressed hope that in the days to come, Nagas as a whole would “come to terms and will be able to sail through.”
Referring to news reports in some local dailies regarding some legislators’ vocal support to former chief minister TR Zeliang, he said the legislators were quoted out of context. “To attract the local audience, our legislators speak in local dialect whenever they go to villages to attend some functions. The way their speech is intended and the way it is intended sometimes vary, and while reporting, there could be some misconceptions,” he stated.
But interestingly, the said report was issued by the NPF media and press bureau itself as a press release. When this was pointed out, the party spokesperson admitted that there might have been “a little hodgepodge” while compiling the release.
“But I can assure you that there is no leadership tussle and there is no question of having differences within the leadership of the government and the party. Our party president, who is now chief minister, is fully in command of the State. We have high respect for our former chief minister Zeliang,” Kikon said.
On the recent remark made by Zeliang in Tamenglong that he was dislodged from his chair because he was from a minority tribe, Kikon said Zeliang had meant that because of the British policy of ‘divide and rule.’ He said the Zeliangrong people were divided into Tamenglong in Manipur, Haflong in Assam and Peren in Nagaland and the community became a minority in all the three states due to this division and that the community must unite irrespective of which state they belonged and vote for NPF.
He maintained that just because Zeliang is no longer the chief minister does not mean that his political career has come to an end adding he (Zeliang) voluntarily stepped down from his position in order to create peace and tranquillity in the State.
“It is very unfortunate that the people are yet to recognise the sacrifice made by TR Zeliang. He stepped down from the highest office as per the wishes and the demands of the civil societies. It is not fair to keep on targeting him when he has already relinquished his chair,” the NPF spokesperson said.
On the recent demands made by some civil societies to the government in connection with the ULB imbroglio, he was of the view that people should be reasonable and that their demands should be made in a more democratic manner.
He maintained that unless one is proven guilty, he or she is presumed to be innocent. With the government already having set up an inquiry committee into the incident, he said the report was anticipated adding the government would act only after a formal report was submitted.
Also lamenting that earlier, individuals and civil societies used to tell underground groups not to threaten the people, he said movement of the civil societies today have changed to the extent of becoming more violent than that of the underground. “This has to be discouraged because violence begets only violence,” he stated.
Taking a dig on the state Congress’s most recent criticism, he said in a democratic State, the Congress being an opposition, has every right to criticise. However, he dismissed the Congress allegations saying it “holds no water.” While acknowledging that everyone or organisation or political party is entitled to voice their opinions, grievances and criticism in a democratic manner, he however said personal attacks should be discouraged. Targeting the government is different, but targeting individuals is unbecoming, he said.
On the recently concluded Manipur general elections, Achumbemo expressed confidence that NPF would win at least 6 seats.
