Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 23
Naga civil societies and tribal bodies today termed the decision of the Government of India (GoI) in formally including the Working Committee of the 6 Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) in the ongoing negotiations of the Indo-Naga peace process as a move in the right direction.
“While not undermining NSCN (IM), they do not represent the totality of the people. The 6 NNPGs give due balance that any negotiation that takes place with the majority of the people of Nagaland will end in positive result,” Khekiye K. Sema (IAS rtd) stated at “facilitatory” meeting held between the Naga civil societies and the Interlocutor to the Indo-Naga peace process, RN Ravi who arrived today. Sema said the presence of the GBs, village councils and tribal hohos who represent the backbone of the Naga society at the meeting is reaffirmation of the efforts made to include the 6 NNPGs in the dialogue.
Sema also hoped that the 6 NNPGs are taken on equal ground and not as subsidiary organization to the NSCN (IM). The Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) while expressing hope that the joint efforts of the two parties can provide answers to existing questions appealed to both the parties to be openhearted and show magnanimity in all endeavors.
Sumi Hoho, on their part, stated that while the talks seems to be heading in the right direction, leaving any NNPGs out of the ambit of the talks may become partial success and could even be disastrous to the Nagas. It therefore appealed to the Interlocutor to take measures to bring the NSCN (K) on board the talks. With the current Nagaland Legislative Assembly nearing completion, the Sumi Hoho suggested that the forthcoming election, due in early 2018, be deferred so that smooth transition to any alternative arrangement can take place.
Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) stated that while any kind of solution should be honourable and acceptable to all, it called for reconciliation among all the Naga Political Groups and the people. Angami Public Organization (APO) believed that a peaceful and truthful negotiation can occur only when the NNPGs and other stakeholders are united and sitting across one table.
Chakhesang Public Organization (CPO) while standing by the 1951 Plebiscite principle said both the Nagas and the GoI need to ponder on the word sincerity and seriousness. “Today, if a situation is created where all Nagas can sit and talk, my community is there,” CPO stated.
Reminding that Nagaland state is the only state in the country carved out without any territorial agreement, Lotha Hoho appealed the Interlocutor to see that Nagaland territorial boundary is included in the ongoing political negotiation.
Nagaland GB Federation called for transparent, honest and practical talks which should be accommodative of all Nagas. Rengma Hoho reminded the Interlocutor to remember the Rengma community living in Karbi Anglong under Assam in the ongoing political negotiation.
Representatives from Ao Senden, CNTC, UNTBA, Nagaland Senior Citizens Association, Zeliang People’s Organization, among others, also spoke at the meeting.
