Kohima, April 28 (EMN): A book ‘Modi walking on elusive Naga Peace’, authored by Kohima-based journalist Oken Jeet Sandham, was released today in Kohima by the minister for Social Security & Welfare and Parliamentary Affairs, Kiyanilie Peseyie.
‘Modi walking on elusive Naga Peace’ is a follow up to the author’s preceding work ‘Narendra Modi and Naga Peace Accord’, which was launched in 2015 where he focuses on Prime Minister Modi’s initiative for resolving the long running Naga political issue through the August 3 “framework agreement” signed between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) in 2015.
In his latest book, the senior journalist stresses on the need for a pragmatic approach and a ‘political will’ for settlement of the protracted Naga political issue. He also touches on how Delhi has filed time and again, to understand the situation of Nagaland, and despite political rhetorics, the content of the “framework agreement” or any part of it, remains vague to the people even after almost two years.
“It is time for pragmatism. Otherwise, it will be nothing wrong to say that Modi is preparing for walking on the man-made ‘Elusive Peace’ and not for a solution,” reads an excerpt of the book.
While lauding the author during the book release event for coming up with a book that is “as current as the Indo-Naga peace process”, minister Peseyie said such works would not only give insight to people but will also become “a treasure” for future generations.
Peseyie pointed out that when one talks of the Naga political issue and the ongoing peace process with the government of India, there is a need to analyse the history of the Naga political movement, the sequence of developments, accords, political talks and ceasefire agreements between Naga leaders and the Centre. “All these past accords, ceasefires and talks are the political manifestation that both the government of India and the Naga people have a genuine political issue that has to be resolved through political process and negotiations,” the minister said.
He also mentioned in brief about the coming together of all the 60 members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly to form the Joint Legislators’ Forum so as to facilitate for an early solution to the long-drawn Naga political issue.
“Our stand is clear that the government of India’s attempt should be comprehensive and not a piecemeal solution as we have seen how past accords had not only failed to resolve the issue but had worsened the situation,” Peseyie asserted.
“We are happy that the present government at the Center under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, through interlocutor RN Ravi, has been saying that their approach to the Naga solution would be ‘inclusive’ keeping in mind the basic Naga ethos, Naga cultures and Naga traditional systems,” he added.
While encouraging Oken Jeet’s efforts towards analysing the political situation in a book form, the veteran politician also called upon other journalists to write books for the larger interest of the Naga people, which he feels would not only strengthen ties but also make the Naga people as one distinct people in the eyes of the world.
Delivering a brief author’s note on the occasion, Oken Jeet recounted how his being in the field of journalism for over two decades had helped him to compile his books. He lamented that many people, especially scholars from outside the state, have the opinion that journalists in Nagaland are not capable of writing about politics. This misconception, he said, was greatly put on view when he released his first book on Naga political issue in 2015.
“We know our history, and we have to write about history... We are capable of writing, commensurating with the Naga political issue,” he encouraged his fellow journalists.
He said besides the current facts, his latest book also looks into the history of the Naga political from 1929 when Naga leaders submitted a letter to the Simon Commission, the 9 point Naga-Akbar Hydari Agreement of 1947, the significant declaration of Naga independence on 14 August 1947, the 1951 Naga Plebiscite, the emergence of Naga People’s Convention which led to the 16 Point Agreement, formation of Nagaland state in 1963, the first ever ceasefire agreement between the Government of India and the Nagas (FGN) 1964, Shillong Accord of 1975 which gave birth of the NCSN, split of the NSCN, the ceasefire between GOI and NSCN (IM) in 1997 to the August 2015 “framework agreement”.
He further acknowledged all those who had been instrumental in the materialising of his book.
The book release programme was chaired by journalist & author, Vishü Rita Krocha while AIR news correspondent, Anenla Jamir gave a brief speech and Dziesekhrienuo Jesse presented a song. Earlier, pastor Melhite Kenye, who is also the father-in-law of Oken Jeet, invoked God’s blessing for the occasion.
It was informed that the newly launched book, priced at Rs.600, will be available for sale at Western Book Depot, main town Kohima, Modern Book Depot in Dimapur, and online at www.Ilandlo.com.
