Our Reporter
Dimapur, Aug. 14 (EMN): Non-declaration of the contents of post solution structure by any group is unacceptable and “secrecy by any entity at this time is a betrayal of people’s trust”, stated Kitovi Zhimomi, Ato Kilonser, GPRN/NSCN, while adding that the Working Committee (WC), Naga National Political Groups (NNPG) was ‘very clear’ on this.
He stated this during the 75th Naga Independence Day celebration at CHQ, Khehoi designated camp on Saturday.
Zhimomi said that if a negotiating party cannot lay the proposed political and administrative realignments to Naga tribes, ‘there is a problem and responsibility must be owned’. He stated that no entity can sign an agreement and force it down the throat of Naga tribes, but “to accept or reject a political solution is for the tribes to decide and those who fail the Nagas will be answerable”.
Assuring that the WC, NNPG would stick with the policy of political transparency, he said they alone cannot decide the future of Nagas and therefore from the very first day of political talks, they consulted all tribal bodies and traditional institutions.
He said that the legacy of the past and the inheritance of the present was to build a Naga nation based on principle of co-existence, entrenching correct Naga history and identity, a practical political structure that allows the people to forge their path, while being defended and partnered through enduring peaceful relationship in the present context, borne out of political negotiations.
‘We inherited an honourable legacy; we will leave the same Naga pioneer's principle for those to come after us,’ he said.
He expressed that there has been a paradigm shift in the evolution of the Indo-Naga political issue. ‘The WC, NNPG has adopted the principles of equality, fraternity, transparency, comradeship and brotherhood, not only among WC partners but also with all apex Naga tribal bodies, GBs and civil societies,’ he said.
He stated that in the last four years, there has been a tremendous wind of change in the Indo-Naga political arena and it has blown away the veil of secrecy, duplicity and exposed the diabolic characters behind the Indo-Naga political cauldron.
Further, he stated that WC,NNPG has retained the core principle in its "Agreed Position", also known as "Preamble Agreement" signed with government of India (GoI) on November 17, 2017, and after two years of intensive political negotiations, the status paper was in the hands of all elected members, apex tribal bodies and civil society.
‘The WC, NNPG had partnered with Nagaland tribes, GB and civil society in negotiating for what is best for the Naga people at a present time. What GoI and WC, NNPG have agreed upon has sufficient space and scope to allow Naga people to protect their history, identity and progress through enduring relationships, and this is an achievement for all Nagas,’ he stated.
He further conveyed to the GOI that Naga people had high hope that the great Indian nation, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the helm, would commit to what was finalised and concluded with Naga negotiating groups in 2019.
“We believe the Naga tribes, civil societies, state government and neighbouring communities are all aware and prepared for a solution to the Indo-Naga issue and we are confident that GoI will fulfil the aspiration of the Naga people,” he stated.
“A political negotiation that is static, unrealistic and impractical is no negotiation at all. Political negotiations are discussions aimed at arriving at agreements, and in the Indo-Naga context, the conflicting parties have successfully concluded the negotiations. Delaying negotiated political commitment is betrayal of people’s trust, hope and peace. GOI must do well to remember that the price of hurting Naga sentiment is very high,” he stated.
He expressed that GOI and WC, NNPG’s dialogue had broken the vicious circle of endless talks and found a genuine path to a secure future. “Naga people are now looking at a brighter horizon, of peace, prosperity and honourable existence. If August 14, 1947 fortified a Naga vision, today WC, NNPG, with active participation of Naga tribes, has rekindled the desire for enduring honourable co-existence,” he added.
During an interaction with journalists, he stated that the political issue was a long struggle and many people had lost their lives.
‘While striving for freedom from India, Nagas have started killing Nagas. With the thought that there have been enough killings and now whoever is alive has to respect human lives, and therefore the political negotiation started. We need only a political solution and not a military solution,’ he said.
“We concluded talks with the GoI since October 31, 2019 and are ready to sign wherever the government of India calls. We have deliberately and thoroughly discussed every issue and according to the situations whatever decisions could not be made now, we will keep the issue open and the younger generation can continue in a democratic process,” he stated.
He added that they were hopeful of a solution ‘within a month or two’ as there is no reason to delay in signing the agreement, and they were expecting “a call from the GOI”. He added that it also depended on the pandemic situation and ‘unfortunately nothing can be assured and we cannot blame any party’.
Responding to the opposition-less government in Nagaland to expedite the political issue, he said: “This has to be demonstrated by them alone and only they can prove themselves. It is yet to be translated into workable reality by them, and we are waiting for them to translate their proclamation into reality.”