Naga issue: NPF gets called ‘semi-conscious’

DIMAPUR, JUNE 18: The Congress unit in Nagaland has called the Naga People’s Front (NPF) “semi conscious” as the regional party has yet to ‘understand’ the, in the words of the opposition, predicament around the ongoing political negotiations. The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) issued a press release, appended by its president K Therie, on Saturday criticizing the ruling party for ‘bluffing the people for over a decade.’ The Congress made clear that it will never abandon the people of Nagaland as it ‘hears the voice of the church, the youth, the ACAUT, CNTC, NTC, tribal Hohos…’ The opposition said: “NPF has not understood the predicament on the ongoing political negotiation. Peace accord was signed on 25th July 1997. It is going to be 19 years. It is almost a generation’s time. They should be able to assess the difficulties of the negotiating parties and also should be able to assess the impact and probable reactions and should intervene to save the situations, but they are in semi-conscious state and only know how to corrupt.” “NPF bluffed people for over a decade, saying “Talk is in the right direction”. Today they admit they don’t know the content of 3rd August 2015 Accord/Framework Agreement. Who should know?” The Congress made clear that it had never opposed solution. Rather, it stated, the national party initiated agreements and peace talks “while the NPF has nothing to show.” The Congress reiterated: “We will support if it is good for the people but we cannot give a blank cheque. I am repeating these again for the ears and eyes of NPF for there are some Thomases in the NPF who still allege that NPCC is against solution. We believe Nagaland political problem is above all political parties and that we all need to contribute in finding peaceful solution.” The NPCC also said to have followed a ‘laid down policy’ adopted in a resolution at Pfutsero, under Phek district, by its forerunner party NNO in 1972 “to endeavour to solve the political problem through peaceful and constitutional means.” The meaning ‘to endeavour’ is to explore or undertake to solve the political problem through peaceful and constitutional means, the NPCC explained. “NPF leaders lack courage to venture or take responsibilities unlike our founding Naga leaders. DAN’s Common Minimum Program of its election manifesto in 2003 vouched ‘to secure a negotiated settlement of Indo-Naga Political problem through peaceful means.’ In a major shift, NPF adopted a policy ‘to facilitate and support the ongoing talk.’ The act is nothing more than betrayal of trust,” the NPCC stated. As for the state government of Nagaland, the Congress stated that the former has now no opinion for the people they represent; in the political solution that will impact the citizens’ present and future life. “They have achieved state assembly that determines our future and the precious Art 371A. We have achieved near plebiscite demand. Prime Minister of India does not make any decision for Nagaland anymore. The achievement of Congress and its forerunner party are the only thing every subject of Nagaland is benefitting including the NPF.” Assuring that the NPCC cannot and will not abandon the people of Nagaland, the statement explained that it hears the “the voice of the church, the youth, the ACAUT, CNTC, NTC, tribal hohos and other organizations.” Adding another to the criticism, the NPCC said that the NPF had a say in protecting its own subjects. “… but the people are left by themselves, unfenced. Our people have suffered enough. The crying of the people cannot be ignored anymore. People are protesting in the streets. We are conscious to the writing on the wall. It speaks to our conscience saying people are tired,” the statement read.