Dimapur, August 10 (EMN): Tirap-Changlang-Longding People’s Forum (TCL PeF) through its president N. Changmi stated that they will not accept any kind of imposition on their land and people on the Indo-Naga political settlement. In a press release he stated that the Government of India (GOI) must take serious note on their sentiments and must take them into confidence before the final settlement is reached to the long pending lndo-Naga issue.
He stated “We demand a threadbare discussion with us on our future, while we agree and honour the sacrifice of hundreds of Nagas from Nagaland; for the sake and cause of the Naga people, it is also equally true that, many of them have opportunity to taste the fruit of Naga national movement after signing the accords and agreement whereas, Nagas particularly in the three district of Tirap-Changlang and Longding were left in lurch and abandoned long before”.
Further he said “In 1963, when Nagaland state was carved out with special provision under Article 371(A) by amalgamating some of the Naga areas which was then under NEFA; Tirap-Changlang and Longding was left out because the Naga leaders, at that time never attempted to reach us and were least bothered about us and left us to our fate, impoverished and in penury”. “This decision of the Naga leaders at that time has taken serious toll on our socio-economic and political life. It was unfortunate that, the Naga leaders at that time choose to abandon us as there was no representation from us to raise our voice”, added Changmi.
Changmi further stated “We don’t want the same history to be repeated leaving us behind high and dry, the Nagas outside Nagaland has also immensely contributed for the Naga cause and by virtue of being a Naga we have every legitimate right to know our fate and future”.
“If the GOI fail to address our concern we will be left with no choice but to do what will be good to protect our interest”, Changmi said in a press release.
