DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 23 (MExN): The Naga Scholars’ Association (NSA) has raised apprehension that the conflicting and disturbing views on the nature and the status of the ongoing negotiation to the Indo-Naga political settlement are matters of great concern.
Any signing of the current political agreement should have the consent of the Naga people, particularly with the concerted effort of the nationalist groups; failure of which would result in division and conflict in the Naga family, the NSA in a press statement said on Wednesday.
The Association also said it is a pre-requisite to consider the scope and status of the Agreement- that it should be able to incorporate the core elements that the Nagas have been struggling for decades.
Among these core elements, the right to own the Naga National Flag and the Naga Constitution are crucial, it asserted while adding that these two elements are certainly the important components towards building a Naga nation.
“The duo are not only symbolic, but the defining frame of the political character, identity and status of a nation. This calls for a critical thinking and consideration on the part of the negotiators,” it stated.
The Association also pointed out that while the hard-earned current opportunity for Naga political settlement must not be missed, it is equally important that the agreement is not limited to the packages that addresses the immediate needs of the Nagas but also “must be congruent to the political nature of our struggle which will have long-lasting implications on our historical claim, geo-political position, dignity and identity.”
In view of the magnanimity of the issue before us, the Naga negotiators must take the right decision today, it stated.
Towards honourable Naga-India political settlement, the Association maintained that the GoI must demonstrate utmost sincerity and responsibility for honourable settlement. While acknowledging the desire of the GoI for settlement on urgent basis, it must consider the way for a durable settlement, rather than take the approach of piece-meal settlement.
While it is a great opportunity and responsibility of the negotiators of the Nagas and the GoI to strive for an honourable solution which will pave way for durable peace and progress, the Association reiterated that the kind of settlement shall manifest the maturity of statesmanship of the negotiators. Can the settlement be a model of conflict transformation for the world?
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