Our Correspondent
Kohima, March 22 (EMN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday appealed to the Naga political groups to come together for a settlement to Naga political issue, saying that Naga people must be given the opportunity to flourish and grow.
He maintained that the 60 MLAs had come together on Naga political issue and the Tuesday’s discussion had a ‘very clear message’ as the all-party government ‘is to give the last push’.
He informed that the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) had already passed three resolutions on Naga political issue while pointing out that the NLA had passed 17 resolutions since 1964.
Asserting that the Naga issue dominates the mind and the priority of the Nagas, he told the House to express the need and desire of the people.
He stated that in 1958, the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) was imposed in the Naga Hills even before Nagaland got statehood as the Naga movement was at its peak and the Central government used the Army to control the situation. Terming last year’s Oting incident 'very unfortunate', he said it is the effect of the insurgency and the movement and reminded that NLA had passed a resolution for repealing the Act.
“If a solution doesn't come and recruitment and other insurgency activities continue, it will be a big question for our state and its people,” he said.
Rio stated that since the beginning of statehood and even prior to that, generations of people have suffered on account of the violence, uncertainty, and turmoil arising out of the Naga issue. He added that it had adversely impacted the younger generations including their growth and outlook.
He pointed out the GoI had also accepted that the Naga issue is political and must be resolved through political talks and negotiations when the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited Nagaland in 2004. That was followed by the signing of Framework Agreement with the NSCN (IM) in 2015 and Agreed Position with WC-NNPG 2017.
Rio also highlighted the various historical events, while pointing out the roles played by the legislators in facilitation of Naga peace talks.
He added that it’s of ‘paramount importance for realisation of an early solution’, adding that the March 9 consultative meeting was called ‘as a solution has to be found’.
Appreciating Prime Minister Narendra Modi for signing the Framework Agreement with all the top brass and the interlocutor, he said a solution must be found without any delay.
He pointed out the people are self-centered with trust deficit and justice must be delivered in a common platform.
‘We look upon God and our church leaders and the CSOs to give a clarion call loud and clear -- settlement should be taken after signing agreement,’ he said.
Meanwhile, he also said: “If settlement cannot come, then there should be a fresh mandate by the people on how to pursue the Naga political issue.”
The public should also give a clear mandate that settlement should be taken, if not, the issue should be pursued through non-violence without causing harm to the Nagas like the last several decades.