EMN
DIMAPUR, JULY 17
The central government has reportedly expressed its willingness to consider the resumption of ceasefire agreement with the NSCN (K), if the latter would approach New Delhi with such a proposal.
According to a press statement from the Chief Minister’s Office, Nagaland, the Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh on Friday told a delegation of Nagaland legislators led by TR Zeliang that “the government of India is also unhappy about the abrogation of ceasefire by NSCN (K) and if peace is desired by the society at large, NSCN (K) should also come forward, and the government of India will surely consider any such overture initiated by them.”
The statement quoted the Union Home minister as saying that “the abrogation of ceasefire with NSCN (K) was unfortunate, and it took them by surprise.” The Union Home Minister welcomed the initiative of the state Legislators and conveyed that peace, prosperity and stability in the state is equally important to the Union government, it stated.
“He expressed happiness that the Chief Minister of Nagaland has offered to send a delegation to meet the NSCN (K) leadership. The Union Home Minister conveyed that the government of India is committed to finding an amicable solution to the Naga issue and has empowered the Interlocutor to take the talks to a conclusive end.”
The delegation of Nagaland Parliamentary Working Committee of the Nagaland Legislative Forum on the Naga political issue, led by Chief Minister TR Zeliang and Speaker of Nagaland Legislative Assembly Chotisuh Sazo, met Rajnath at his office in North Block, New Delhi.
“The delegation raised three important issues with the Union Home Minister, and urged the Government of India to consider the Naga political issue as a national issue and find an amicable and honourable solution at an early date.
“The delegation also suggested that the Interlocutor be fully empowered to negotiate at working out a solution, instead of being authorized only to talk, in a manner that can form the basis for the consultations amongst the Naga nationalist groups and the Naga people as a whole,” said the press release.
The delegation also met Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs and apprised him of the situation in Nagaland and the desire of the people to find an early solution to the long standing Naga issue.
“The all party delegation conveyed that the Union Minister of State should act as their ambassador in Delhi, and were confident that being from the Region, he would appreciate their problems and advise the Prime Minister accordingly.”
Expressing unhappiness over the sequence of events that led to the abrogation of ceasefire with NSCN (K) and the incidents thereafter, the Union Minister of State Home Affairs assured that they would consult the state Government in any action being taken concerning the state, it added.
