NPF reiterates stand on Indo-Naga issue

Our Correspondent Kohima, Nov. 15 (EMN): The Naga People’s Front (NPF) party is optimistic that the final agreement to the protracted Indo-Naga talks will “definitely usher in peace and tranquillity” in Naga society. Addressing a press conference on Friday at its central office in Kohima, NPF spokesperson, Achumbemo Kikon iterated that the party stands for an “honourable” and “logical” solution to the Naga political problem, which has stretched on for over 22 years. The party, led by the NPF legislator TR Zeliang, had met with both the NSCN (IM) and the working committee of NNPGs, during the last round of dialogue last month. The discussion was “very positive” with both the groups/parties, he added. The party spokesperson also appealed to both the groups to iron their differences and come together for the sake of the Naga people, and for the solution. “It is our desire that various Naga political groups come together and find an honourable solution with the government of India. This is not only the desire for the party but it is a desire for the  entire Naga people that the peace process, the political talk, comes to an end with a logical reasoning for an honourable settlement,” Kikon said. He went on to add that the NPF is a “facilitator” and not privy to the dialogue.  The talks should emphasise on the need for an honourable solution and not a “mere package”. Commenting on the NSCN (IM)’s demand for a separate flag and constitution, Kikon said there is “nothing wrong for elected representatives to stand by the demand for separate flag and constitution”. He added that “Naga political history is distinct”. The Naga People’s Front (NPF) has also announced there will be a change of guard during its upcoming general convention, scheduled on November 22. With the five-year tenure of the current office bearers coming to an end, the new office bearers will be elected soon by the election board on November 22. The general convention will be held at the Capital Convention Centre in Kohima. Delegates from Nagaland, Manipur state unit, and Arunachal state unit are expected to attend the convention. ‘Who is running the government?’ The Naga People’s Front (NPF) party on Friday questioned the governance of the Peoples’ Democratic Alliance (PDA) government, stating whether the “governor or the chief minister is running the state government.” This was in reaction to the recent intervention by the Governor RN Ravi on the display of automatic weapons by a newlywed couple in Dimapur. Addressing a press conference in Kohima, the spokesperson of NPF, Achumbemo Kikon said that the governor’s intervention indicated that the “government of the day is not capable” and is “not doing its part”. He asked why the “governor jumped in, when there is a popular government”. According to the party spokesperson, if the governor is “directly interfering” on all these issues, it is an indication of “President’s Rule type without having a popularly elected government”. “When there is an elected popular government, there is a system in place to run a government,” he said. An image of a GPRN/NSCN leader’s son and his bride, posing with an automatic gun during their wedding reception in Dimapur on November 9, had gone viral on social media. The newlywed couple were later arrested by the district police. However, they were released on bail, the same day.