DIMAPUR — Ahead of a crucial consultative meeting on the Indo-Naga political issue convened by the Nagaland government, the Working Committee of the Naga National Political Groups (WC-NNPGs) issued a statement urging the state's leadership to endorse the existing agreement with the government of India.
This endorsement, “will give impetus and confidence to GoI to enter into a political agreement and implement with immediate effect, during the tenure of the present government,” it said.
In a statement on Wednesday, the WC-NNPGs highlighted the secrecy surrounding the 2015 Framework Agreement (FA) signed between the GoI and the NSCN (IM). “Other than the single-page FA between NSCN (IM) and GoI, it is still a secret agreement which the Naga people do not have access to. The contours of the talks are shrouded in mystery”, the statement read.
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It went on to say that the GoI, “having realised the futility of leaving the primary stakeholders outside the purview of FA”, invited the working committee for political negotiations in 2017, which it asserted, were based on transparency and a clear recognition of Naga political rights.
“WC-NNPGs was aware that as early as 2012, Ino. Th. Muivah had made it clear that the matters of sovereignty and integration were subjects not feasible at present time and therefore not a part of dialogue,” it said.
However, the WC-NNPGs negotiated and achieved a clear separation of legislative powers between the Indian Parliament and Nagaland state, with similar arrangements for Naga territories in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam.
Furthermore, the WC-NNPGs emphasised that the upcoming consultation, while limited to the executive powers of Nagaland state, should endorse all agreed-upon matters concerning the state.
The question of sovereign power sharing, they clarified, will be addressed in due course.
Stating that the solution does not involve the surrender of arms or any action that might compromise the dignity of the Naga people, it said that the Indian Passport Act would be amended to include a separate page to mention the identities of Nagas.
“All unresolved political matters will be negotiated through the political representation of new legislature and constitutional bodies that would come into force through the agreement that is on the anvil,” it maintained.
The WC-NNPGs expressed hope that the upcoming consultation will lead to a collective endorsement of the progress made in negotiations, rather than simply placing the onus back on the Naga political groups.
While recognising the rights of Nagas in neighbouring states, the WC-NNPGs cautioned against delaying progress by waiting for ideal political conditions or settlements in other regions.
“Political and tribal leadership of Nagaland has to stand for the territorial integrity of Nagaland first while not ignoring the rights of our land and people in other states. Transform Nagaland state to a resilient and vibrant economy first and this will pave the way for other Naga areas to reach a corresponding level of socio-eco-political stature which will ultimately prepare a way for gradual physical integration,” it said.
As urgently desired by all the Nagas, the Political Affairs Committee is also expected to officially endorse the immediate implementation of the agreement besides routine assertion “to pave way”, it added.