Kohima, August 29 (MExN): Naga Rising, which described itself a group formed by like-minded people from different walks of life and experiences, has suggested the Government of India (GoI) to “immediately appoint a Group of Naga Interlocutors to mediate for early conclusion of the peace talks and to help avoid the risk of negotiations breaking down.”
In a memorandum to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the group’s signatories argued that such appointment would “help facilitate a sustained dialogue – even beyond the solution – among a larger pool of stakeholders in a climate of transparency and mutual trust, which in turn will help in the successful outcome of the Indo-Naga peace process.”
The Naga Interlocutors, the Naga Rising suggested, should be selected on the basis of their wide acceptability and their ability to unify the Naga socio-political divide and work alongside Nagaland Governor RN Ravi, who is the Government of India’s Interlocutor.
They will not negotiate but “help mediate with the Naga Political Groups on the one hand and also work with the larger Naga civil society in facilitating the way forward,” it argued.
Meanwhile, it further noted that the appointment of the Interlocutors to Naga Peace Talks as the new Governor of Nagaland is a “demonstration of the sincerity of Prime Minister and his continued focus and priority to resolve the Naga issue.”
“The Prime Minister’s seriousness to conclude the talks within a timeframe is in tune with popular support of Naga masses,” it said, adding that the recent declaration of the Governor of Nagaland in public that the Prime Minister wishes to “conclude the peace talks within 3-month is very encouraging.
Putting forward its argument for the same, the Naga Rising stated that given the complex nature of the Naga peace process, some kind of “modality to consult, converge and conclude the peace talks has to be found.”
The reality of corresponding talks taking place with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim since 1997 and with the Working Committee of the 7 NNPGs from November 2017 onwards, were cited as case in point.
Such reality calls for appointment of the Group of Naga Interlocutors, it added.
In this connection, Naga Rising maintained that such appointment would be a “bold and visionary step,” adding: “It is strongly suggested that this initiative must come from the Prime Minister.”
The signatories of the memorandum from the Naga Rising include Along Longkumer; Vitho Zao, Hukavi T. Yeputhomi, Amai Chingkhu, Tsukti Longkumer, Moie Bonny Konyak, Ngukato K. Tsuipu, Mar Longkumer , Joel Naga and Khriezodilhou Yhome.
