Nagaland government says consultative meet ‘historic and fruitful’; adopts 7-point resolution

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 15 (EMN): The consultative meet on Naga political issue called by the Nagaland government on Thursday at the state capital was “historic and fruitful”, according to the state government.

A total of 209 representatives from various organisations, political parties and intellectuals attended the meeting and adopted a seven-point resolution.

After the meeting, Advisor for NRE, IT&C, Science and Technology, and national spokesperson for BJP, Mmhonlumo Kikon; and Minister Planning and Co-ordination, Land Revenue, Parliamentary Affairs, Neiba Kronu, who were also chairperson and co-chair of the meeting respectively, briefed the media about the consultative meet.

‘Today was a historic day, very fruitful consultative meeting and for a very long time, the Nagas have been worried and wondering about what the next step would be due to the impasse in the (Indo-Naga) political talks. This is a way forward,’ Kikon added. On Naga Hoho representatives reportedly walking out of the meeting as ‘they were not given chance to speak’, Kikon expressed surprise at learning about the incident. 

‘Nagaland government had sent invitation to Naga Hoho. In the invitation letter, it’s very specifically and clearly written that they will be required to make a speech or a statement in the programme,’ he said. 

‘During pre-lunch, there were hosts of organisations who spoke. Therefore, the Naga Hoho’s time was slotted post-lunch, on which prior announcement was made. If they have any doubts, whether they would be allowed to speak or not or if they have any issue, they could have, as any responsible organisation, taken up the matter with the government or officials present at the meeting. But no such thing was done. Only later on when they left, it was learnt that they left because they were not allowed to speak,’ he said.

Kikon added that they did not list the name of the people who will speak according to the order.

When asked why the GB Federation did not attend the meeting, Kikon replied that the government has extended invitation to the federation. However, as to why the federation could not attend was not known to them.

‘They have not mentioned any specific information,’ he said, adding that the government would be communicating with them shortly.

Minister Kronu also termed the meeting “very fruitful”.

‘Participation from the representatives was good and people have shared their mind freely. Many prominent, public leaders and intellectuals who were invited to the meeting have also expressed their opinion and thereafter the resolution was passed,’ he said. 

Speaking about the NPF breaking away from JLF, Kronu said that their ‘door is open’ for the opposition to return to the fold.

‘We want to work together. Because at this crucial juncture, it is the desire of the PDA government that all come should together and hammer out the issues and bring a solution,’ he added.

The two legislators said that the resolutions were passed via voice vote of all the organisations present at the meeting.

The seven-point resolution adopted:

1. Appreciate the government of India for acknowledging the unique history of the Nagas and for recognising the Naga issue as a political issue.
2. Acknowledges the sacrifices and contributions of the nationalist workers in the course of the Naga political journey and towards the Naga political cause.
3. Expresses gratitude to the civil societies and the church for consistent support towards the Naga cause and making constant efforts towards reconciliation and oneness.
4.  Affirm our commitment to continuously work towards a political settlement based on Naga historical and political rights to determine our future on the unique history and position of the Nagas.
5. Urges the Naga political groups to honour and respect the Covenant of Reconciliation and maintain the sanctity of non-violence in letter and spirit for a shared Naga future as members of one Naga family.
6. Appealed to the negotiating groups to come together under a spirit of oneness, mutual trust and understanding with sincerity and commitment towards achieving one solution for one people as early as possible.
7. Affirmed to relentlessly work in a collective and unified manner with one voice so as to facilitate the peace process and strengthen the negotiations for early realisation of the desired one solution in a transparent manner which is acceptable and honourable.