Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
We, the undersigned members of the The Naga Rising, would like to extend our utmost respect to the popular mandate received by you as Prime Minister and also the convincing victory of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) under the able and dynamic leadership of Amit Shah, Union Home Minister.
Please consider this memorandum seeking your urgent attention for appointment of a Group of Naga Interlocutors to mediate for early conclusion of the Indo-Naga peace talks and to help avoid the risk of negotiations breaking down.
As an ideological body of emerging voices, reflecting the aspirations of the future generation, and representing cross sections of society, The Naga Rising seeks to approach problems in its totality – the Naga political issue included – through a broad based inclusive framework.
Respected Prime Minister, the opportunity for a peaceful resolution of the Indo-Naga political issue has never been this favourable for both India and the Nagas.
You had said during the signing of the historic Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015, “the Naga political issue had lingered for six decades, taking a huge toll on generations of our people”.
The manner in which you have so far handled the Naga issue has been an exercise of leadership that is committed to the peaceful resolution of this old problem.
Modiji, the Naga people continue to repose their faith in you as Prime Minister and we believe that your government will bring to an early conclusion the much expected solution to the Indo-Naga political issue without delay.
The appointment of the Government of India’s Interlocutor, RN Ravi as the new Governor of Nagaland, is we believe, a demonstration of the sincerity of our Honourable Prime Minister and your continued focus and priority to resolve the Naga issue.
This memorandum further takes note that, with the appointment of RN Ravi in his dual role as Interlocutor and Governor, the peace process has now come closer to the Naga people.
The signatories would therefore like to thank the Government of India for this timely and judicious step as we believe this will help ‘bridge’ existing ‘divides’ and ‘build’ ‘confidence’ within the community for the success of the proposed negotiated political solution.
Concrete steps with new modalities required
Given the complex nature of the Naga peace process, whose outcome will have a bearing on the contours of peace in the North East region, and also the reality of corresponding talks taking place with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim since 1997 and with the Working Committee of the 7 NNPGs from November 2017 onwards, some kind of modality to consult, converge and conclude the peace talks has to be found.
As such the recent declaration of the Governor of Nagaland and also the Interlocutor RN Ravi in public that the Honourable Prime Minister wishes to conclude the peace talks within 3 months is very encouraging.
While whole-heartedly welcoming the recent pronouncement of the interlocutor, there’s but a certain air of apprehension given the trust deficit and points related to technicalities of the discussion between the GoI and one of the negotiating groups.
Under the circumstances, the next logical and immediate step of unveiling the broad contours of the proposed agreement and convergence of the Naga political groups before an agreement is signed is not happening.
It will be a bold and visionary step on the part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to appoint such a Group of Naga Interlocutors. It is strongly suggested that this initiative must come from the Prime Minister.
Decisive and transformative in your approach, this memorandum believes that the idea we have presented to you for consideration will find favour of your government.
