EMN
Dimapur, April 17
State chief minister, TR Zeliang, appealed the people to concertedly solve the protracted Naga political problem as soon as possible rather than passing it on to future generations.
“If the Naga political problem is allowed to linger on, I am afraid more political groups might crop up in the years to come and that will only compound the problem and solution would be more elusive than ever. At present, we have five NNC groups and four NSCN groups whose goals are the same, but it is difficult to bring them together to present a single voice and opinion to the Government of India,” CMO statement quoting the chief minister said. Zeliang said this in his addressing at the silver jubilee celebration of the Phom People’s Council (PPC) at Longleng district headquarters on April 16.
Zeliang said after he took up the reins of the government, opposing political parties which fought tooth and nail barely a few years ago, had come together under the banner of the NPF and the BJP with the sole idea to facilitate an early solution to the Naga political problem. Saying that all 60 legislators of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly have come together with no opposition in the government, he said this has never happened in any Legislative Assembly in the country nor might it happen again very soon.
“When erstwhile political opponents can come together for the cause of the Naga problem, why can’t the Naga political groups come together? Why can’t all sections of the Naga society come together for an early resolution of the problem which has been the main stumbling block for peace, harmony and all-round development in our society?” he asked.
He expressed happiness that the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi was genuinely determined to bring about an early solution to the Naga political problem. He said Modi had assured to work out a formula taking into consideration the views, opinions and aspirations of all sections of the Naga people for an early solution which is acceptable and honourable to all.
Zeliang said the PWC had made it very clear that the Naga political problem is not a factional or tribal problem, nor is it a problem of Nagas living in a particular administrative jurisdiction, but a common problem of Nagas as a whole since sacrifices and contributions have been made to the Naga cause over the six decades or so by all Nagas. Also given to understand that the Interlocutor Ravi has been consulting various Naga political groups, NGOs and civil societies on a weekly basis, Zeliang said “it is not fair to criticise us as blindly supporting the Framework Agreement without knowing the contents.”
On the PWC meeting national political leaders, the Chief Minister opined that “as and when Constitutional amendments are made to safeguard the birth-rights of the Naga people living in different political and administrative areas, passage of the amendments through both the Houses of Parliament will be required. And though the NDA has impressive majority in the Lok Sabha, it does not have the required majority in the Rajya Sabha. That is why we have met various national and regional political party leaders briefing them on the history and uniqueness of the Naga history and the need to bring an early solution to the protracted problem.” He went on to add that the Congress President Sonia Gandhi, though admitting she was unaware of the contents of the Framework Agreement, assured support “if it was good for the Nagas, the Northeast and the nation.”
On the issue of sending a delegation of the Naga Hoho and the Eastern Naga Public Organisation to Myanmar to meet NSCN (K) supremo SS Khaplang, the Chief Minister said the unilateral abrogation of ceasefire by the NSCN (K) and the resultant violence and loss of lives had caused hardship and insecurity in the minds of the people and that the people wanted ceasefire to be continued.
“The State Government had appealed to both the Government of India and the NSCN (K) to enter once again into ceasefire agreement and the Government had therefore, sent a delegation to convey the wishes and aspirations of the people and the Government to the NSCN (K) leadership,” he said.
Responding to criticism for supporting the Framework Agreement, Zeliang said a meeting of six Naga political groups was held on March 9 this year at Chumukedima where they had explained the need for all sections of the Naga people to come together and work out an early solution to the political problem. He clarified that the government is not supporting or opposing any group but are working for the interest of all the Nagas.
He said civil societies such as NSF, ENSF, NMA, Naga Hoho and the ENPO have come together for the first time in many years to work out an early solution. While stating that Naga political problem could be solved only through the active participation of all sections of the society including church organisations, he appealed to the people to strive for and also pray for an early solution so that the Naga political problem could be solved in our lifetime rather than bequeathing an unresolved problem to future generations.
