Sir,
1. I am the last incumbent. I read your referred article and have the following comments to offer.
2. I wholeheartedly subscribe to the essence of the views expressed in the article. Centre must appoint a Chairman at the earliest. I was appointed for a period of one year commencing 02 Feb 2012. Intimation that I would NOT like to renew the contract, with commitment to continue till completion of the Assembly elections in the State, was given to MHA, Govt of India in mid Dec 2012. Since dates for the elections were not announced at that stage, I had indicated 31 Mar 2013 as date for termination of my tenure, considering tenure of the State Assembly. Appointment of a relief is long overdue.
3. You have stated that I gave no reasons for resigning. Unfortunately, I had to keep my intention to resign confidential. My Office would not have had the desired effect, especially during the period of the elections, otherwise. Nagaland Post did get intimation and published my motivations, probably on 29th Mar, the date of my departure from Nagaland. Let me restate the same :
(a) Talking, mediating, directing, advising has limited effect. When innocent civilians are killed (Zunebhoto) or injured (Kohima) and the Chairman is unable to prevent or impose punitive action, I have no moral right to remain in the Chair. I felt like I had blood on my hands.
(b) I first wrote to Delhi of my desire to quit, after learning that elections to the Nagaland Assembly were to be held. You have stated in the article of the mood at that time. Electing a new Govt is interpreted by me as retaining the status quo, irrespective of which Party formed the Govt. I had no desire to be part of the status quo. I took the assignment in 2012 with intent to make a difference.
(c) My assessment is that all primary parties to resolving the problem are not willing or find themselves unable to move forward. The leadership of all Factions of the UG Groups seem rather comfortable with the status quo. A resolution of the problem will throw up imponderables to present levels of comfort, hence the unwillingness to take positive steps. There is no need for any Agreement to be able to initiate such measures. In this regard there are numerous ways each Group can win favour of the majority of the public. Govt will then be compelled to act. Today, GoI is the convenient scapegoat, to absolve each one of us our responsibility towards doing our part to contribute to resolving the problem. GoI for its part is apparently tied in knots. State Govt has adopted the course of convenience, to term it a problem for GoI to resolve. It absolves responsibility.
4. While I have resigned from the appointment of Chairman, it will remain my commitment to continue contributing towards Nagaland, in different ways. Avenues that cannot be availed by a Govt appointee are now available. The People and the State remain in my heart.
We shall overcome, some day
N George
Maj Gen (Retd)
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