Dimapur, January 7 (MExN): In a strong call for action, the Naga Hoho has stated that the year 2025 must be “the year of Naga political solution.”
“Nagas, the time to rise is now. We cannot afford to continue living in the comfortable lie of lethargy while the world watches our slow downfall,” it urged in a statement received here.
“A peaceful, just, and honorable settlement is absolutely necessary; it’s been too long overdue. 2025 cannot be just another year of waiting and hoping. It must be the year of Naga political solution,” added the statement issued by Naga Hoho President, Sulanthung Lotha.
It further noted that a political solution to the Naga issue, which has lasted more than seven decades, cannot be postponed forever. The political disagreements between India and the Naga must reach a final resolution, it added.
The Naga Hoho also noted that the Naga people are closely monitoring the developments of the peace talks.
While the Naga Hoho welcomes all the Naga Political Groups (NPGs) efforts to bring solutions and believes that such movements are important for achieving peace, it stressed the need to prioritise the Naga solution when discussing any political settlement.
It also pointed out that the Naga people have observed in the past how golden opportunities have dwindled when opportunities arose to settle the protracted political issue. However, the divide-and-rule policy has spoiled the Naga destiny, which never ceased, it rued.
Thus, the Naga Hoho urged all parties involved in the Naga Peace talks to engage in constructive dialogue to comprehensively end the media war and swiftly implement effective solutions to address the Naga problem resulting from the conflict and division amongst themselves.
“The Naga people need a solution. Solution is the ultimate prize for the Naga people,” it asserted.
‘Clear signals from Delhi’
The Naga Hoho also stated that there are “clear signals from Delhi” that the Government of India (GoI) is serious about concluding an agreement and that the GoI had “categorically asserted” that a solution is possible if all NPGs could come together with a “common draft” for all Nagas.
If all NPGs were “really fighting for the betterment of Nagas,” then they should come together with a common draft to usher in the required solution for Nagas, be it small or large, it further stated.
Unless the Naga people voice their desire for all entities to come together, the GoI will likely take no further steps, it said.
In this context, the Naga Hoho noted that Naga tribal leaders are also ignoring certain aspects of unifying all sections. The GoI must also reach out to the people of Nagaland and convey its position on the Naga issue by providing the common draft, which will surely help build trust and bring about a peaceful solution to the Naga issue, it added.
Bottom-up approach
In this connection, the Naga Hoho said that the GoI must use a bottom-up approach to deal with the issue while considering all the stakeholders. This approach includes using the reach of various NGOs among the people to bring the shared goal of different groups together, it said.
It also expressed hope that the GoI would complete the signing of the agreement in 2025 itself.
“We Nagas have to make up our minds. What do we want? How do we want to achieve what we want? Or should we pursue the ongoing journey to destruction by promoting mutual hatred and confrontation?”
The Naga Hoho also pointed out that the peace process has been ongoing for quite some time since it started in 1997, and as per the GoI, there is “nothing much to discuss and debate as all contentious issues have been addressed.”
Thus, it noted that Nagas must be reasonable and understand that “our own whims and fancies” cannot decide government policy.
“The government has its own set of rules and regulations; some of them require amendments in Parliament,” it added.
Accordingly, the Naga Hoho questioned why a solution that is already within reach should be prolonged.
It further maintained that while there is a “catchword statement” of blaming the GoI, New Delhi is “waiting for the Naga people to accept the ‘contemporary reality’” and wondered for how long “the GoI will wait for us?”
“Are we not trying to sabotage things at our levels? How has our elected state government and elected MLAs behaved? Why so much loot and corruption when money flowed? Where is the money going?” the Naga Hoho posed.
Pragmatic approach
In this context, the Naga Hoho stated that “Nagas deserve peace and development more than anyone else. The onus is on us to grab the opportunity.”
It further called for taking a “pragmatic approach” and embracing a solution for lasting peace and development. To achieve comprehensive and sustainable peace, Naga political issues must be made an urgent priority in efforts to stop the division amongst the Naga people, it held.
Terming the year 2025 a “turning point,” the Naga Hoho expressed apprehension that “if we do not unite now, we will continue to be scattered and forgotten.”
“The world is moving forward, and the only way the Naga people can ensure their survival is through a ‘Just Naga Political Solution’ across every Naga tribe and every Naga land.”
The Naga Hoho stated that the Nagas cannot afford to let division, fear, or doubt hold them back. If the Naga people are to survive as a community, they must call for an urgent Naga political solution, it asserted.
According to the Naga Hoho, this is not just about finding a solution; it is a gateway to preserving their identity and securing the sacred rights of future generations.
“2025 is the year of Naga political solution. The year we make our stand. The year the Naga Political Groups unite together,” it reiterated.
