• NNPGs to be a single entity
• Seek suggestions for compilation and consideration
• Indigenous minorities call for inclusion
Morung Express News
Dimapur | December 9
The civil society, including apex tribal organisations and other indigenous non-Naga minority bodies, has resolved to support the ongoing political talks between the Government of India (GoI) and the Working Group (WG) of the six Naga National Political Groups. The resolution to support the talks was arrived at a consultative meet of the WG with representatives of several Naga and non-Naga tribal organisations of Nagaland state held in Dimapur on December 9. The civil society representatives comprised members of around 30 different Naga as well as minority organisations.
The WG was led by convenor N. Kitovi Zhimomi and co-convenor Zopra Vero, while the meeting was chaired by Alezo Venuh, Envoy to the Collective Leadership.
At the meeting it was also informed that the six groups will henceforth be known as one single entity - Naga National Political Group or NNPG.
While the discussions centred on how to take forward the talks “without compromising on our core historical principles,” calls for transparent talks without secrecy, bringing on board all stakeholders inclusive of minorities, putting up clear cut demands, withholding the 2018 Assembly elections and also the question of which side to follow reverberated during the day-long deliberation.
With the people sandwiched between two entities in talks with the GoI and another out of the dialogue process, the Dimapur District Senior Citizens Forum stated that the people are clearly perplexed. “We’re at the cross roads. To be very frank we’re confused (as to whom to follow),” was how the senior citizens forum summed up the situation. The ENPO called for the need to be clear on the kind of solution “we are calling for” and suugested for chalking out a clear cut charter of demands to be placed before the GoI.
On a similar tone, the CNTC posed, “If in the event, there is no sovereignty, no integration… then what?” The case of the Khiamniungan tribe was highlighted by the Khiamniungan Tribal Council with more than 3/4 of its villages falling in Myanmar and less than a quarter falling within Nagaland, India.
The apprehension of minorities being left out was apparent as the Indigenous Minority Tribes of Nagaland maintained, “There cannot be a solution until and unless all stakeholders are brought on board.” “We have to know the past. We cannot move to the future unless we know the past.”
On the question of transparency, the Nagaland Tribes Council said that any agreement or solution to be brought about ought to be let know to the people.
As regards the holding of the 2018 elections, opinions were rather divided.
‘This will not be the end of public consultations’
Alezo Venuh, Envoy to the Collective Leadership, said that the day’s discussions will not be the end of public consultations. Responding to queries from the media, he said, “We will continue to have such consultations.” Asked further if the consultations will be confined to the Nagaland, he said that they are open to holding this kind of consultations in any Naga inhabited area. “Our stand is that Nagas wherever they may be, definitely our agenda also would be there for them.”
Earlier during the discussion he sought suggestions either from individuals or as a forum, and the compilation to be submitted before January 15, 2018.
Venuh said that the WG and the GoI have agreed on a foundation for the talks and also made it clear that the WG will be consulting the people to move forward.
Some of the organisations during the discussion maintained that they would want to go back their members and deliberate further. On this he said, “I think they have every reason to say that so we have given time… that will be looked into”
On the March elections he maintained that it is the prerogative of the GoI. The concern is more out of apprehension that it might disturb the ongoing talks than opposition, he said adding, “Otherwise it is not an issue for the Working Committee.”
On the call of the indigenous minorities, he responded it cannot be ignored.
.JPG)
