Nagaland unit of party to stage dharna on July 9
Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 3
To impress upon the Government of India to expedite negotiation for early solution of the Indo-Naga political issue, the Janata Dal (U) Nagaland has decided to stage a Dharna at New Delhi on July 9.
The decision to this effect was taken at its meeting held on June 1 last and the same was announced during a press conference here today.
JD(U) Nagaland president Senchumo Lotha said that the Naga solution has been a part of the party’s last election manifesto and being a part of the government “we sincerely feel that we must carry on with our desire for early solution for which we want to be more pragmatic.”
He said that the dharna is also a part of the suggestion given to them by the party’s head office in New Delhi.
Lotha added that as far as JD (U) Nagaland is concerned, “we are confident that they (negotiating parties) are capable of striking a solution which is honourable and acceptable for Naga society as a whole.”
Therefore, he said, with this trust on the negotiating parties, the JD(U) would press for exigency towards striking an early solution as soon as possible. Delaying the solution, he cautioned, would breed more problems.
He informed that the JD(U) Nagaland is also planning to move for setting up a memorial or monument to commemorate the contributions made by Jaya Prakash Narayan, Bimala Prasad Chaliah and Rev. Dr. Michal Scot as part of the peace mission.
“If their suggestion was well taken, the Naga problem would not be as what it is today. Therefore, they are to be considered as champions of Naga cause,” he said. The JD(U) Nagaland President added that his party would take up this proposal with the ruling PDA government in the state.
JD (U) Nagaland General Secretary, Kitoho S Rotokha meanwhile stated that after the NDA took over the government at the Centre they had announced that the Naga solution would be achieved within 18 months.
He further noted that after the August 3, 2015 Framework Agreement, even the Prime Minister had stated in an international forum that the Naga issue would be resolved within the shortest possible time.
“But unfortunately, we have not seen that declaration into a reality till now,” Rotokha lamented. “So we want to impress upon the PM to really live up to his commitment,” he added, while stressing that any solution would have to be not only honourable and acceptable but also inclusive.
Rotokha said the JD(U) leadership has been keeping in touch with the negotiating parties, adding: “we are hopeful that in this forthcoming monsoon session, the Naga issue will be tabled.”
He said this is one opportunity where all the political parties, be it national or regional, should express not only their desire but participate or rather implore upon the central leadership to take up the matter in the forthcoming monsoon session. He also appealed to all political parties in Nagaland to pursue the same with the central government.
Rotokha added that the party is also contemplating on submitting a representation to the Prime Minister on this.
The party further asserted that the Naga movement vis-à-vis the desire for an honorable and acceptable solution remains closely associated with the Janata Dal since from its inception through the party’s founding father, Jaya Prakash Narayan who along with Bimala Prasad Chaliah and Rev. Dr. Michael Scot as members of the peace mission in 1964 recognized the Naga right to self-determination and recommended that the Nagas could “on their own volition, decide to be participants in the union of India and mutually settle the terms and conditions for that purpose.”
The party sought cooperation and support from every Naga, Churches and political parties for the success of the said dharna. Meanwhile, on the proposed Citizenship Amendment Bill, the JD(U) Nagaland President while noting that the AASU along with eight ethnic groups are pursuing this very issue, stated that the JD(U) was instrumental in organizing a meeting between AASU and JDU national president Nitish Kumar.
The party’s Nagaland unit president said the JD(U) national president has made it very clear about his support to the concerns of the people of Assam. He made clear that since the central party is not supporting the Citizenship Amendment Bill, the state party unit is also part and parcel of the statement made by Nitish Kumar.
Rotokha meanwhile expressed hope that the centre would not let the North East people be “victimized.”
