Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, DECEMBER 13
‘Narendra Modi and Naga Peace Accord’, a book written by Kohima-based senior journalist Oken Jeet Sandham, was released by the Minister for National Highway & Mechanical Engineering Nuklutoshi this afternoon in Kohima at Hotel Japfü.
The book primarily 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) this year.
Congratulating the author for coming up with a book on the Naga political issue, Nuklutoshi said considering the complexity of the issue, Sandham has a brave heart to write about it.
“The book may have negative comments, but taking risks he has come up with it… It may benefit the Naga political issue,” the Minister said.
Talking about the condition of the Naga society today, he said all the problems that the Nagas are facing today is because of one thing which they could not do- unite. Because of being unable to find unity, we are struggling so much today, he lamented. The minister underscored the need to go back to the people, to the grassroots and make the people understand that the Nagas must work with the slogan ‘unity for solution’.
Touching upon the attempts at solving the Naga issue, Nuklutoshi stated that many accords have come and gone and the reason for their failure was because all the sections of the Nagas were not consulted. He felt that the 16 Point Agreement of 1960 was good for the Naga people even after 52 years of statehood, people still fail to accept this agreement because it was not consulted thoroughly and the people were not united.
Similarly in the present context, he expressed deep concern that whatever is going on if Nagas are not united, nothing will happen. “It will be another 16 Point Agreement, another Shillong Accord (1975), it will be another repetition of the past mistakes,” he asserted. “Nagas have to come together if we want a final solution,” he added. The Minister feared that unless the Naga people unite, the political problem will never end and risks a dark generation.
Meanwhile, the Minister stated that currently there are more than 55,000 educated unemployed youth and within five years’ time, the figure is expected to become almost nine times more than that, and Nagaland already has the highest average of government employees in India. “We don’t have industrialists and there are no industrialists who want to invest in Nagaland because of insurgency problem, and unless we come up with better industries, we can never solve this unemployment problem,” he said. Maintaining that this and the numerous issues in the society cannot be solved unless the political problem is solved, Nuklutoshi stressed on seriousness of thoughts and action. He reminded that the 60 legislators had passed a resolution for these issues and while stating that they are working hard for solution, he said the only thing that is needed now is unity among the Nagas. He opined that at this juncture, the Nagas cannot pretend to be Christians anymore and they must start acting like true Christians and love without hypocrisy so as to come together as a people. He further expressed hope that the book would benefit the Naga people.
Delivering a brief background of the book, the writer Oken Jeet termed the occasion a momentous one in his career. Having been in the field of journalism for more than two decades, he said, it has been his dream to write something on the Naga political issue, which is as old as the “Indian independence”. He narrated in brief the sequence of events in Naga history from 1929, which he considers the time that the Naga political issue literally started 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 present day August 3 “framework agreement”.
Pointing out that people who are not of the state are writing and commenting on the Naga political issue at national and international levels, he emphasised the need for Naga writers to start writing about their history and what is truly happening in Nagaland, tell the world that the Nagas have a significant political history.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has agreed to sign the ‘framework agreement’ to find a lasting and permanent solution to the Naga political issue and because of this issue, today we have an uncomfortable environment in the entire northeast,” the author said. He however pointed out the differing opinions amongst the people towards resolving the Naga issue, the separate groups, while all the groups have the objective to see that the Naga political issue is resolved.
He also talked about negative mindset of the people, the need to remove negativity and scepticism and to come together to a point to solve problems. This, he feels is what Nagaland badly needs today.
On his book , Oken Jeet said he tried to present things in a balanced manner taking into consideration the sensitivity of the political issue. To solve or not to solve, is in our hands, he said. He further acknowledged all those who had been instrumental in the materialising of his book.
Senior journalist and Kohima Press Club president, Xavier Rutsa gave a brief speech on the occasion. He lauded the author on his efforts in successfully bringing out his book. Earlier, e-Evangelist (SEA) Rev. Dr. L Tsanso invoked God’s blessing for the occasion.
Meanwhile, it was informed that the newly launched book, priced at Rs.300 will be available for sale at Western Book Depot, main town Kohima and Student Book Centre, PR Hill Kohima.
