Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 3
IN THE 25 minute meeting which took place between the Centre’s Parliamentary Standing Committee Union on Home Affairs led by Member of Parliament Sushma Swaraj and frontal social organizations of Nagaland, the need for an early settlement to the long-standing political negotiations figured prominently. Besides, the unification of the ‘Naga homeland’ was also deliberated. Dr Lanusashi Longkumer, Convenor of the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) in a phone conversation said the interaction was brief but interesting.
Swaraj, in her concluding remark, is said to have touched the core issues of the peace process and integration. She conveyed the Centre’s message that they were making close observation and that they were extending solidarity and support in ‘positive development.’
Longkumer further disclosed that representatives of political parties in Nagaland were also present during the meeting. During the course of the discussions, development aspects related to the State is also said to have taken place. A gentleman from the Nagaland Congress raised the slogan that the ‘Look East’ policy should be realistic and should benefit the people, the NPMHR Convenor said.
A joint representation submitted to Swaraj by the Naga Hoho, Naga Mothers’ Association, Naga Students’ Federation and the NPMHR states that the political negotiation “must come to the logical conclusion without any more procrastination and that unification of Naga Homeland must precede any agreement that may be arrived at.”
Asking Delhi not to delay the peace process wagon from moving forward any further, the representation states, “The efforts put in during the past eight and half years may be wasted if the Government of India fails to take a timely bold and decisive step.” The history of the peace talks was also recounted.
It may be mentioned that the Parliamentary Standing Committee Union on Home Affairs is one among the 17 Departmentally Related Standing Committees. Among other things, the Committee functions by way of taking consideration of national basic long term policy documents presented to the House i.e. Parliament.
“With the emphasis of their functioning to concentrate on long-term plans, policies and the philosophies guiding the working of the Executive, these Committees will be in a very privileged position to provide necessary direction, guidance and inputs for broad policy formulations and in achievement of the long-term national perspective by the Executive”, according to information obtained about the working of the Committee.
Earlier, the 18-member Pariamentary Standing Committee visited Arunachal Pradesh where discussions on internal security and infrastructure development took place. As per an official source the delegation will arrive at the border town of Moreh from Kohima on February 4.
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