DIMAPUR, JUNE 20 (MExN): The ‘Rally for Peace and Justice’, organized by the Naga Students’ Union, Delhi today on the eve of the crucial Indo-Naga political talks to be held in Amsterdam from June 22 to the 24th sent a strong message asking the Government of India to expedite the peace process by respecting the genuine aspiration of the Nagas to live under a single political unit. “We strongly urge the GoI to start taking new initiatives by integrating the Naga areas without which it would be a futile exercise for both the negotiating parties to keep on extending the ceasefire”, NSUD President, Chitho Nyusou said in his speech during the rally in Delhi today.
While appreciating the GoI’s official recognition of the “Unique History and Situation of the Nagas” the NSUD failed to understand as to why the GoI has not taken any concrete step on the substantive points and issues even after over 50 rounds of talks. This rally, which has been described as one of the biggest to be organised by the Naga students in Delhi in the current ceasefire period, demanded of the GoI to come out with clear and concrete proposals within the shortest possible time.
“The Naga students are of the firm opinion that both the GoI and the Nagas should not miss this golden chance, where highest positive thinking is possible for political solution”, stated a press communiqué issued by NSUD President Chitho Nyusou and General Secretary Khyothungo Jami.
The NSUD also stated that they were confident and hopeful that the negotiating parties shall begin taking serious initiatives in the upcoming talks in Amsterdam. “We would like to reaffirm and reiterate our genuine stand that political solution is the best option as against resumption of bloody war where civilians are victims of grave human rights violations by the Indian security forces”, the students stated.
“The GoI has moral and political responsibility to demonstrate its commitment and maturity to the substantive points forwarded by the Naga people for bringing lasting and honourable political solution.”
Apart from the several people who spoke, the public spirit for the Nagas’ enduring struggle for their rights were enlivened by a theatrical play presented by the students depicting the Naga resistance movement against the “occupational forces in Nagalim”. “The rally was more meaningful in the sense that students dressed up in their respective cultural attires marched in front to show the world that the Nagas are determined to make Nagalim a reality”,
Delegations from the Naga Students’ Federation, United Naga Council, All Naga Students’ Association, Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights and Naga Women’s Union exhorted the public at Parliament Street and strongly urged the Indian Government to honour the aspiration of the Nagas to live in a single political unit, which will pave the way for a final and lasting political solution, it was informed.
Apart from the Nagas, many other peace-loving sections in India, including North East Students’ Organisation and many other student unions and associations participated in the rally in large numbers to extend their support to the peace process showing their solidarity with the Naga people’s movement for their right to self-determination, it was stated.
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