NJCF
The Nagaland Joint Christian Forum greet you in the name of the Almighty God on behalf of the Christians in Nagaland.
The Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) is a body representing all the Christian Denominations in Nagaland. As we lay down this memorandum before you for your consideration, we are truly appreciative of your effort and deep concern to resolving the protracted Indo-Naga conflict by bringing in an honourable and acceptable solution. The Nagas have gone through different phase of challenges and opportunities in recent times, some of which seem to be hopeful, and yet unfortunately, some of which have led to further divide the Nagas. The Nagas have over the years felt neglected and sidelined because the problems and struggles have never received proper attention in the national stage.The unresolved problems and the untreated conflicts over the last seven decades have led the Nagas to a state of confusion. The problems have piled up one over the other with no proper attention. But under your leadership, our hope has been raised when you personally took upon yourself to boldly come out to recognize the Naga struggle as a political struggle by recognizing the historical and political rights of the Nagas. Your leadership has created a hopeful space for the Nagas. Therefore, within this space, an amicable and an honorable solution must evolve.
Your personal interest and will power to find an amicable solution has given much hope. The Framework Agreement signed between the GOI and the NSCN-IM on 3rd of August, 2015, and the on going dialogue and negotiations with the Working Committee of the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) are positive move on the part of your Government. We believe, the progress that has been made thus far cannot be hijacked until and unless a permanent solution is hammered out. At this stage, where negotiations are accelerating and the momentum going on well, interfering with another issue will take the present negotiation to square one. This, if ever should happen will give birth to mistrust and suspicion of the good intention of the Government of India and your personal good will to resolve the Naga political issue will be misconstrued.
May we be bold enough to state that you have provided the space for the Nagas to exercise their collective wisdom and effort for the first time in the history of our political struggle by recognizing the political and historical rights of the Nagas and thus, trust has been built. Negotiations and consultations were held at different levels whereby, the Nagas seem to have seen a ray of hope. The mandate of the Nagas must be taken very seriously and upon this, your good office must act with wisdom and precision without bringing in any element that would thwart the negotiation process.
To this effect, above anything else, the Nagas long for a solution within the space that has been provided by your government. The present peace process and the negotiations that are taking place should be the utmost priority without any other interference and interest.
At this juncture, reading the minds of the general public and the Frontal Organizations in Nagaland, there seems to be no other agenda more important than finding an amicable solution. We therefore, urge upon you in the name of God, hon’ble Prime Minister, to sincerely listen to the voice of the people and exercise wisdom and discernment in tackling the present situation with utmost care and consideration. So that, the hard earned dialogue and negotiations taking place shall not be derailed.
As much as we pray for our leaders, we also pray for you and those who are involved in the negotiations at this time. The Nagas look up to God to grant you wisdom so that His will for the Nagas will dawn upon us through your leadership. To lose the trust of the people and prolong the process or to exercise wisdom and hasten the process lies within the perimeter of your leadership. To deflate and disturb the momentum that has been going on in good speed in recent months will kill the confidence and trust of the people. The Nagas long to seize this moment so that a better society will emerge in our life time.
May God grant you wisdom and bless your leadership.
Thanking You
To,
His Excellency
The President of India
Rashtrapathi Bhavan
New Delhi - 110 001.
Sub: Request to promulgate ordinance under Article 123.
Respected Sir,
We pray that this letter finds you in good health.
We are writing on behalf of the Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) to request your immediate action regarding the mass call for postponement of Nagaland State General Assembly Elections 2018.
His Excellency is well aware that the Naga National Movement has been lingering for more than six decades and had earned the dubious distinction of India’s longest running conflict. This time round, almost all the apex Naga civil societies and even the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on 16 December 2017 adopted a resolution and requested the Government of India to postpone the polls in order to pave way for a final settlement to the Naga political issue.
The prevailing opinion engulfing the entire State of Nagaland is that the GoI should postpone the polls in the interest of peace and a final solution.
In the event of the Election Commission of India notifying election dates, the NPRAAF is of the strong opinion that His Excellency seek the recommendation of the Union Cabinet to pass an Ordinance stalling the State Assembly after the completion of current tenure which expires on 13 March 2018 instead of allowing the incumbents to function as the caretaker government until a new government is installed and thereafter impose President’s Rule.
Such a situation will give ample time for both the GoI and Nagaland including other Naga National Groups which are yet to join the peace talks to engage in a meaningful dialogue leading to final settlement of the Naga issue.
Under such a wide call for ‘solution before election,’ we request you to directly intervene through your influential office utilizing Article 123 of the Constitution, which confers upon the President legislative powers to promulgate ordinances. NPRAAF is of the view that it is the right time for the President to promulgate an ordinance which is meant to address extraordinary circumstances that arise when Parliament is in recess. We express our deep faith in the highest Constitutional office of the country to see that the opinions and heartfelt desires of the people are respected by the GoI.
Thanking you.
