Kohima, August 27 (MExN): The Chief Minister of Nagaland State, TR Zeliang, has clarified that the Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015, is “not with him or the State Government” and thus “we have to trust the negotiators and their statements that the best interests of the Naga people would be ensured while evolving a negotiated settlement.” This was stated through a press note from the Media Cell of the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), Nagaland. The CMO stated that, “The attention of the Chief Minister has been drawn to some serious but unwarranted allegations raised against him by various Naga National Political Groups which appeared in the media this morning, thereby warranting this clarification.”
In that, the CMO offered that “If anyone has any doubts, or wants to know the details (of the Framework Agreement), RN Ravi (interlocutor) is always there to clarify instead of speculating and interpreting as per one’s own understanding.”
According to some people, “there is nothing for the people of Nagaland in the present Framework Agreement, which would make it appear that they have seen the contents of the Agreement,” observed the CMO, while on the other hand, some people ask how “we can support without seeing the Agreement.”
The CM maintained that people should not be confused with such “ambiguous statements.”
The press note also reminded that the talks on the Naga political issue between the Government of India (GoI) and the NSCN (IM) started 19 years ago, in 1997. Eventhough Ceasefire Agreements were signed between the GoI and other NSCN groups, successive Governments of the State had taken the stand to facilitate the peace process, and the present Government continues to abide by that declared stand.
“It is unfortunate that some people are talking as if the Peace Talks started only during the tenure of the present Chief Minister which, in fact, has completed just a little over two years,” maintained the CMO.
The CMO also reassured that the CM stands for an inclusive solution, further noting that “all Nagas should be stakeholders, wherever they are, in the final solution.” Whereas, TR Zeliang is the Chief Minister of Nagaland and not of the neighbouring States, “when it comes to the Naga issue, whether he remains the Chief Minister or not, he is determined to speak for all Nagas and will continue to do so till the issue is honourably resolved,” the CMO stated.
In terms of inclusiveness, the CM has repeatedly requested the interlocutor to meet all NPGs for dialogue to bring out a lasting solution. According to the CMO, at the Chumukedima Consultative Meeting on March 9, 2016, the CM also expressed his willingness to facilitate a meeting if any group wanted to meet the interlocutor. The CMO further clarified that the inauguration of the Veterinary College at KVK Jalukie was organized by the ICAR, a central government institution. A ceremonial lamp was lit and a coconut was broken to signify good luck and prosperity by the Union Minister—the CM and State Government had no part in the arrangement of that inauguration, maintained the CMO. Further, invocation prayers were offered by the State Chaplain Rev.
Kuzeirang Thou, with the Foundation Stone of the Farmers’ Training School laid by the CM where the Pastor of Jalukie Town Baptist Church, Mongzeu, offered the invocation prayers. Therefore, “attributing the Chief Minister of indulging in Hindu or Heraka rites are false and baseless,” asserted the CMO.
