Kohima, May 27 (EMN): The Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) during its special session today adopted a resolution to press the Centre for an early resolution to the protracted Naga political issue before the 2018 state assembly elections.
Chief Minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu who introduced the government resolution and also moved for adoption of the same, read, "The Members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly in the 16th session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly unanimously reiterated it's position to pave the way in the event of an honourable and amicable settlement arrived at as a result of the ongoing political talks. The House further urged the Government of India to expedite the political dialogue to bring an early resolution of the ongoing almost 20 years political dialogue before the scheduled Assembly elections in early 2018".
Earlier, during the time given for clarification before adoption of the resolution, MLA Dr. TM Lotha while acknowledging the peace talks between the government of India and the NSCN (IM) for the last 20 years, highlighted concern that the Naga people were disunited both at the civil society and the national groups levels. He said it was also expressed by the leaders in Delhi they were finding it difficult because any solution cannot be imposed on the Naga people unless they came together. Unity is necessary so that resolution will be ‘honourable and acceptable’ to both sides, he stated.
The MLA also said it was communicated to the NSCN (IM) leaders that as far as possible, they should invite everyone to be part of the peace talks so as to bring about an amicable and honourable solution to the Naga people.
Stating that while all Nagas want a settlement, he lamented that they are not ‘very seriously attempting’ because they were not willing to come together. He maintained that the people remain adamant both on the national workers side who are refusing to accommodate eachother, and the civil society as well, which is posing a setback for an early resolution to the long standing issue.
Chief Minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, in his remark, stated that the Naga issue is a very complex one. He said this being a very sensitive issue, sufficient care was taken to use the right words while framing the resolution, such as “honourable” and “amicable”.
Liezietsu maintained that dialogue is going on between one faction with the Centre while there are more factions. He explained that the word
‘honourable’ was used as it is believed that one group alone cannot bring about honourable and amicable settlement.
Therefore, he said the efforts were being put towards meeting the different groups to request them to have better understanding among themselves so that in the event of any settlement, all of them would give their consent.
“Only then we call it an honourable and amicable settlement,” he added.
