Focus on ‘mutually negotiated solution': NSF submits memo to PM

DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 23 (MExN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has termed the recent development of the Interlocutor for Naga Peace Talks, RN Ravi allegedly imposing a unilateral deadline of October 31 upon the Naga negotiating team as “against the universally accepted principle of peaceful and mutually agreed negotiation.” 

In a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Federation maintained that no honourable solution can be brought about if one of the teams to the negotiation starts to throw weight around and tries to impose the same upon the opposite party. 

It also pointed out that the projected deadline has been responsible for much pain and has thrown the Naga society into further chaos which is totally the opposite of what the peace process seeks to achieve, i.e. permanent peace and tranquility in the Naga homeland. 

The Federation has therefore sought the intervention of the Prime Minister in advising the Interlocutor to refrain from holding the hard earn peace process to the ransom of time. 

The Federation also expressed resentment over the alleged practice of the Interlocutor in indulging in “rhetoric words and practices which had resulted in much chaos and confusion in the Naga society.” It alleged that Ravi has been adopting the “practice of twisting and misinterpreting the words enshrined in the historic framework agreement against agreed terms and principles to suit his political overlords.”

It further expressed concern that Government of India (GoI) is approaching the peace process from a bureaucratic lens which is leading to the misinterpretation of competencies that has been mutually worked out so far between the entities.  

The Federation also took exception to the sidelining of NSF and other civil organizations in the present consultative process. It stated that NSF is not against any organization or individuals invited for consultation, however, as the “main stakeholder representing the voices of those who will inherit the solution; it is unimaginable for the consultation process to be a mandated one without the NSF.”

In this backdrop, the Federation has demanded that the unique Naga identity be recognized through the Naga national flag which is dear to the hearts and minds of the Naga people.

The GoI must honor the 3rd August Framework Agreement both in letter and in spirit as it was signed by both the entities in the presence of the Prime Minister of India.

It stated that the solution to the protracted Indo-Naga political issue should be inclusive, honorable and acceptable basing on the uniqueness of Naga history.

That the GoI should focus on ‘mutually negotiated solution’ instead of ‘imposed solution’ and should desist from provoking the situation by sending Indian Armies to Naga homeland and issuing statement of threat.