DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 12(MExN): The Working Committee (WC), Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) has stated that the Naga people are ready for an “honourable settlement.”
“The impending agreement shall ensure that Nagas exercise absolute sovereign ‘rights, power, authority control, make own laws and administer’ as per the system so envisaged as per Naga Customary Laws and Practices together with the contemporary democratic political system,” the WC said in a press release issued through its Media Cell.
According to the release, there is “absolute clarity” on all issues between the WC and the Government of India and the two entities have identified “possible transitional and operational difficulties owing to constitutional and legal mechanisms which prevented Nagas to exercise their sovereign rights over their land and resources in the past.”
It said that to get over the difficulties, “operational clauses” will added and the agreement, “once ratified and incorporated, will ensure that neither the parliament nor the constitution will intrude on these matters.”
The “Agreed Position” signed on November 17, 2017 between the two entities entrenched “in spirit and essence” the Naga Plebiscite of May 16, 1951.
“What was acceptable to GOI was not the point; rather, what should be accepted by India was the focus. On this principle, the right of the Nagas to self determine their political future, anchoring on mutual co-existence considering the contemporary political realities, but with a distinct political and administrative system in consonance with Naga identity, customary practices and procedures.”
It maintained that subsequent to the signing of the “Agreed Position” wide ranging consultations were held with all Naga stakeholders and their opinions “formulated into a blueprint and added to charter points for negotiations.”
According to the release, the WC has never deviated from the core values and principles of Naga historical and political right.
While stating that the position of Nagas in the context of political configuration is handled with collective wisdom, it said that any unresolved contentious issues needing political and democratic process and consensus will continue in the future, “with greater participation of the Nagas and people to people dialogue with neighbours where necessary.”
With its “supernatural and divine connotation,” the “rainbow with a star” (Naga flag), it said, continues to be an emblematic source of inspiration of the Naga political struggle.
On RN Ravi’s additional role as Governor of Nagaland, it hinted at the WC being comfortable with the arrangement, while stating that his role as the GoI’s negotiator comes not in the capacity and protocol of a state governor.
