No better chance may come’: Naga Common Platform steps up peace plea

DIMAPUR — The organising committee of the Naga Common Platform has appealed to all stakeholders to extend unconditional support for an early political solution, warning that missing the present opportunity may leave Naga people with “no better chance” in the future.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the committee maintained that the ceasefire agreements signed between Naga political groups and the government of India since 1997 and 2001 were intended to create a conducive atmosphere for “free and fair political negotiations” based on mutual trust, and should not be viewed as an end in themselves.

Recalling past negotiations that failed to yield lasting benefits, the committee stressed that the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position must not be undermined. It cautioned that pride and divisiveness could derail the collective pursuit of a settlement.

The committee urged every section of Naga society to participate in the proposed Naga Common Platform gathering scheduled for November 18 at 10 am at the Agri Expo site.

Also read: Naga Common Platform to push for final political solution on November 18

To preserve the sanctity of the peace process, the committee informed that it had decided not to invite Naga political groups to the platform, allowing negotiators “more time and space” to deliberate among themselves and engage the public at a later stage.

It reiterated that the call for unity carries no hidden agenda, “except for the healing of our lands.”