Dimapur, September 2 : The delegation of civil society organizations in Delhi have offered updates about their representation to the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
The leadership of the Naga Hoho, the Naga Students’ Federation, the Naga Mothers’ Association, and the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights issued a joined statement on Friday listing out the issues that went to the table: the Wuzu firing incident in Phek, the Armed Force (Special Powers) Act, and issues associated with the Indo-Naga political issue.
Concerning the Wuzu Firing incident of July 16, 2015, in which two school-going children were killed and a young mother was injured, the press release lamented that in spite of the setting up of an enquiry commission and protests from the Naga civil society, no action had been taken.
The organization stated in the press release that the Assam Rifles threatened student leaders and “even went to the extend of issuing legal notice to those who are demanding justice.”
The organizations were in Delhi “to seek justice in person from the Government of India and to ask for the withdrawal of the Disturb (sic) Area Act viz-a-viz the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act,” the press release stated.
“Side by side, the Naga civil society organization delegation also sought for early resolution of the Naga political problem,” they explained.
The delegation met with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Prior to that, the delegation met with RN Ravi, Interlocutor of the Government of India, and minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju.
“In all these meetings, the delegation is glad to say that, all the above-mentioned dignitaries have in principle agreed that AFSPA has not been the best alternative to solving problems and that the Government of India will soon be holding its periodical review meeting, during which the demands of the Naga civil society organization delegation will be discussed for consideration,” the organization stated.
Concerning the Naga peace talks, the press release stated that “for the Government of India, the Naga issue now stands as the ‘top priority’ although India is faced with many other such problems, and that they are committed to settling the Naga problem at the earliest possible time.”
The delegation also called on the leader of the NSCN (IM), Th. Muivah, the press release stated. “And we are also glad to hear that the government of India has now agreed that the integration of Naga areas is a ‘legitimate right’ of the Nagas,” the statement said.
The delegation has admitted that “our many differences have multiplied over the years, and which has all the potentials of going from bad to worse if the present trends of contradictions continues unchecked.”
“Therefore, the only way for the Nagas to be able to determine for ourselves how to live our own way of life and also for the sake of future generations, and where draconian laws such as the AFSPA and others that are alien to our ways of life will become irrelevant, is to secure an acceptable and amicable political settlement with the Government of India,” the organizations stated.
