DIMAPUR, AUGUST 28 (MExN): The Nagaland Gaon Bura Federation (NGBF) issued a statement on August 28 stating that the demand for replacement of the Government of India’s Interlocutor to the Indo-Naga talks, RN Ravi “is unjust and untenable due to the fact that he is also the GOI interlocutor with other negotiating groups.”
A press release from NGBF President, Shalem Konyak; General Secretary, Shikuto Zalipu and Media Secretary, Akhu Naga said that the GBs of Nagaland have stood for and supported inclusive, acceptable and honorable solutions for all Nagas irrespective of boundaries. It said that after the GoI signing the Framework Agreement with the NSCN (IM) and the Agreed Positions with the WC, NNPGs, the NGBF has appealed to all the negotiating parties to bring home honorable and acceptable political solution.
It expressed concern that “there is a perpetual tendency within NSCN (IM) leadership to brand Naga leaders, tribes, organizations, other civil societies as anti Nagas and traitors for not towing their political ideology.”
“This is a mockery of Nagaland for Christ. The statements contradict frequent fasting programs and prayer requests seeking cooperation from Nagas. God fearing leaders should not insist their words and actions are final in the Naga context. The people's voice and will is final,” it stated. The NGBF said it is “opposed to dictate that stifles people's sentiment.”
Recalling the violence post the 1975 Shillong Accord, the NGBF said that leaders “must rethink” and added that “our children have come of age.” “Wounds of the past must be allowed to heal and not flare,” it appealed.
Stating that the “status paper is with the tribal leaders and organizations,” the NGBF said that the “transparency and practical aspect of the negotiations between GoI and WC, NNPGs, without compromising Naga history, identity and political right in all Naga areas, being communicated to the tribes and public at the grassroots level has found favour with the people.”
It meanwhile said that “NSCN (IM) statements describing 14 tribes, NTC, NGBF, CNTC and other civil societies as planted by RN Ravi and tutored by him has deeply hurt the sentiment of the Nagas.” It said that the “only role the Naga civil societies particularly the NTC, NGBF and Churches played was bringing sworn enemies to a common table where they could see eye to eye for the sake of Nagas.”
The NGBF said that the Framework Agreement “clearly mentions that negotiations had concluded, RN Ravi and Th. Muivah signed and sealed with a handshake.” It however noted that the NGBF and “all tribal hohos insisted on an inclusive solution and on November 17, 2017, the Agreed Position was signed between GOI and WC, NNPGs.”
“Logic says if RN Ravi, as NSCN (IM) allege, planted or tutored stakeholders, he would never dare acknowledge or admit that the Nagas had political and historical right to self determine their future in consonant with their distinct identity.
Not in a signed document,” it claimed.
The NGBF further stated that “a group negotiating with GOI with RN Ravi as interlocutor and issuing statements saying, ‘...any organization falling in line with RN Ravi is anti Naga...' sums up the inconsistencies in the last twenty three years of political talks between GOI and NSCN (IM).”
It asserted that the NGBF “cannot lie to the people at the grassroots level,” adding that this statememt has been issued “with a hope that Nagas would stay calm and positive against disturbing media trials and presumptions.”
