Morung Express News
Kohima | March 18
The Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) session in Kohima today saw discussion on the Framework Agreement signed between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India, with legislators expressing their views.
Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Apok C Jamir expressed hope that the contribution of civil societies, the church and elected representatives would not go in vain. He stated that the NLF not only represents people in Nagaland but they stand for the greater interest of Nagas in the political process.
Noting misgivings and apprehensions, Jamir outlined the meaning of a Framework Agreement in international usages. “A Framework Agreement is an agreement between two parties that recognizes that the parties have not come to a final agreement on all matters relevant to the relationship between them but have come to agreement on enough matters to move forward with the relationship with further details to be agreed in the future,” quoted Jamir. He further appealed to legislators to keep up with the pace of change and adapt.
Legislator P. Pohwang Konyak meanwhile lamented that the demand for independence has been reduced to a solution. Stating that Nagas have not thought over the issue carefully, Konyak said, “Whether bitter or sweet, we will be compelled to eat what has been given to us.” He further urged civil society, bureaucrats and all legislators to work together and bring unity. “If we have the right Driver, we can reach our destination, but if the driver is not right then it will lead to fatalities,” he cautioned.
Minster for School Education, SCERT, Yitachu asserted that absence of opposition does not mean that the government is free “to do things out of the rules.” “We have been given the opportunity to take up the most difficult challenges, the Naga political issue, development issues, economy, policies and programs to meet the aspirations of our youth,” he stated. Hukavi Zhimomi, Parliamentary Secretary for Jail, Science and Technology stated: “We are really committed but the negotiating party is not taking it seriously. I don’t foresee this Peace Accord to be successful if we continue this way.”
On Common Language
Meanwhile, entertaining the session with puns in Nagamese, Minister for Rural Development & REPA CL John stressed on the need for a common language. “Only 20 to 30 per cent of the population speaks English, that too only in Kohima and Dimapur. It will take another hundred years to get the whole Nagaland to speak English. You go to Mon and speak English nobody will understand,” said John, joking to the extent that even the Chief Secretary, Pankaj Kumar speaks Nagamese 50 percent of the time. He further pointed out that most Nagas in Myanmar and Arunachal Pradesh also communicate through Nagamese.
