DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 10 (MExN): The Working Committee NNPGs today stated that any Naga constitution or Yehzabo must be “framed by Naga minds.”
A press release from the committee’s media cell stated that the Naga constitution “must be drafted by a committee drawn from a “pool of distinguished men and women from every tribe.”
It stated that apart from the recently enforced legislative, executive and judiciary Ahzas sourced from the Indian constitution, for centuries and to this day, each Naga tribe and every village practices its own set of “unblemished” customary laws and procedures that guides a bonafide member and also governs every village in its vintage village-republic status, each practicing its own little yet powerful Yehzabo and “herein lies the spirit of Naga freedom, independence and nationhood.”
The WC, NNPGs felt that in the Naga context, the Naga constitution “lies deep within the inter tribe fabric that differentiates us from our neighbours.”
While stating that the demand for Naga Constitution or Yehzabo “sounds very patriotic and nationalistic to the ear,” the committee however reminded that the NSCN (IM) General Secretary, Th Muivah had on February 29, 2012 at Agri Expo, Dimapur “admitted that sovereignty and Naga integration were not possible at the present time.”
“He clearly meant artificial boundaries will remain yet honorable and acceptable political solution also meant alternative political arrangement for Nagas in Manipur, Nagas in Arunachal and Nagas in Assam,” the WC, NNPGs stated.
It meanwhile stated that Nagas must be told clearly whether an already drafted Constitution is put forward for acceptance or the right to frame the constitution is being demanded from the Government of India.
“It is a figment of imagination to think that Nagas would accept a constitution or Yehzabo that hinges on demolishing centuries old Naga heritage to give way to discarded political principles and philosophies which blinded failed dictators and despots in the last hundred years or so,” the committee said.
It further questioned: “(Have) Naga tribes converged and empowered their own very best brains to the Naga Constitution drafting Committee? Where is Naga constitution? Who drafted it? Naga people cannot accept alien document as Naga constitution. It will not serve the purpose.”
It asserted that whether the GoI acknowledges or denys it, the Naga Yehzabo will have to come from the people and till Naga tribes agree to scrutinize, sanction and approve it with absolute conviction, Naga Yehzabo or constitution, whoever claim to have ownership of it, "has no landing ground. "
“Younger generation Nagas will certainly question the wisdom of the leaders today if their future is again thrown into turmoil and conflict situation,” it cautioned.
The WC, NNPGs reiterated that in the 55th round of political negotiations between GoI and NNPGs, the former has accepted the political and historical right of the Nagas to self determine their future in consonant with their distinct identity.
“Absolute and sovereign rights of Nagas over certain competencies is clear. Nagas must also be prepared to understand contemporary political realities. The Indian leadership with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the helm, with overwhelming mandate, has exhibited wisdom, maturity and commitment to solve the Indo-Naga political problem. All unresolved issues, both entities have agreed, shall be pursued through continuous democratic political process,” it added.
The committee concluded by stating that Nagas must embrace “what is honorable and acceptable today for the sake of our children and our children's children.”
