JD(U) takes pot shot at Nagaland govt. over consultative meeting on Naga issue

Dimapur, Nov. 13 (EMN): Janata Dal United (JD-U) Nagaland unit on Friday took a pot shot at the state government over holding of consultative meeting on October 15 with civil society organisations and political parties in connection with the protracted Naga political issue.

In a press communiqué issued almost a month after the government conducted the consultative meeting, which it boycotted, the JD(U) claimed that the lack of seriousness on the part of the chief minister in facilitating an early settlement of the Indo-Naga political issue was evident from the sheer disregard for other political parties and haphazardly organising it. 

“For a consultative meeting of such magnitude, a prelude meeting with the party leaders of various political parties should have been called wherein a roadmap can be discussed and consensus reached. Rather, the state government hastily, at the eleventh hour calls a meeting of all political parties, civil societies, NGOs, student organisations and social workers and in the process making such important consultative meeting a waste of time and energy of all who attended, as nothing concrete nor significant decision could be reached,” read the press release.

The party also sought to know if the resolution passed at the meeting was of the government or the public, citing that there were no signatories from any of the public organisations and political parties that participated. It went on to state the resolution was confusing as there were two sets, one signed by ministers Neiba Kronu and Mmhonlumo Kikon, and the other by the CM and Deputy CM.

The JD(U), in its press release, said that asking “other political parties to endorse the resolution is not only belittling other parties but outrageous and it will not go down well in the annals of Naga history”.

“Our humble suggestion vis-à-vis the Naga political issue is for the two entities to sort out their contentions and continue the talk smoothly and bring about honourable and acceptable solution. Also if the Central leaders want solidarity of the 60 members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, the governor should summon the House so that elaborate discussion could take place and if required, Assembly resolution can be adopted unanimously which will carry the voice of the people,” read the statement.

“The practice of waging paper war and attempting to justify each other’s position between those in Government and the Opposing parties will not bring about any sustainable change but rather aggravate the fragile and sensitive issue at this critical and crucial juncture,” it added.