WC-NNPG renews call for Naga solution, warning against dilution of Article 371(A) and asserting rights over natural resources
DIMAPUR — The Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups (WC-NNPG) has renewed its call for government of India to announce a Naga political solution, stating that negotiations have concluded while warning against any dilution of Article 371(A) and asserting Naga rights over natural resources.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the committee reiterated that political negotiations conducted with the GoI had successfully concluded and that the outcome was pending announcement by the Centre.
It added that the negotiations had sought to address “glaring discrepancies” between the constitutional framework and the implementation of provisions relating to Nagaland, particularly Article 371(A).
It maintained that political agreements reached between the GoI and the Nagas, both historically and in recent years, must be respected and implemented, saying these agreements provide the basis for the Nagas and Indians to coexist with mutual respect.
The WC-NNPG referred to the Framework Agreement signed between the GoI and NSCN (IM) on August 3, 2015, and the Agreed Position signed with the committee on November 17, 2017.
Also read: WC-NNPG opposes Nagaland government's call for new interlocutor in Naga peace process
It asserted that the two agreements should not be allowed to remain unimplemented and urged the Centre to fulfil the commitments made during the political negotiations.
On natural resources, the committee claimed that the GoI and the WC-NNPG had agreed in principle on a blueprint for the utilisation of resources above and below the ground, including strategic minerals and rare earths.
It stated that natural resources, exploration and extraction should be reserved for post-solution generations of Nagas and warned against attempts to undermine the Agreed Position through what it described as “petty MOUs”.
The group also criticised the state government and bureaucratic machinery over the handling of natural resources, saying Article 371(A) was a constitutional safeguard for Nagaland and its inhabitants and “not a licence” for politicians to connive with corporations.
The WC-NNPG said it would oppose any force or attempt that sought to undermine the Agreed Position and the competencies agreed upon during the political negotiations.
On Article 371(A), the group said the provision was the “only link” between the Union of India and the Naga people.
It warned that any temporary or permanent suspension, or complete removal, of Article 371(A) would place Nagaland in a “pre-statehood status”. It added that Nagaland and the Naga people would then have the right to invoke the spirit of January 10, 1929, August 14, 1947, and May 16, 1951.
The statement also referred to the “Idea of India” associated with Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Subhas Chandra Bose and BR Ambedkar, describing it as inclusive and secular.
It called on the RSS to be mindful of this vision and said the idea of a “Hindu Rashtra” should not run contrary to the spirit of the Indian Constitution.
The group said India’s diversity of faiths, cultures, beliefs and social practices should be respected, and no religious group should consider itself “more Indian” than others.
The WC-NNPG maintained that the political leadership of the country must recognise the history and identity of the Naga people through negotiated political agreements and their implementation. It added that an immediate confidence-building step would be to resolve the prolonged Indo-Naga political conflict.
The group also alleged that the state government, bureaucracy and security agencies had for too long allowed “anti-solution elements” to flourish while people continued to await an “honourable and acceptable” political solution.
It urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to ensure that the political agreements reached with the Naga negotiating groups were implemented.
The WC-NNPG warned that failure to implement the agreements would add to the “accumulated historical injustice” faced by the Naga people.
JOIN OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL