Listening to people’s voices a must: Zeliang on Naga solution

Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 14 

Leader of the Opposition, TR Zeliang has stated that both the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) should listen to the voices of the people before any final agreement to the Naga political issue is arrived at. 

In a television interview with Northeast Live, the former CM said that the negotiating parties on the Framework Agreement had committed that “before inking the final agreement they will come back to the people and explain the road map of their final agreement. 

“People are anxiously waiting for such kind of action from both the parties. Listening to the voices of the people is a must before they come to a final settlement,” Zeliang stated. “They should invite all political parties in the state,  all tribe hohos, civil societies, NGOs and student organisations.”

The point of the Framework Agreement and the roadmap for final settlement, he said, should be explained properly. 
With regard to the flag issue, Zeliang noted that this should not be major bone of contention if both parties have agreed on shared sovereignty. 

Asked about his opinion on if Naga political groups transform themselves into political parties, Zeliang stated that in a democracy any group can do so. “No one can stop them.” He however added that as far as Nagaland is concerned “we already have established political parties in the state so any kind of democratic arrangement is there, the existing political parties cannot be dissolved.” 

“It will entirely depend on the situation and the nature of the solution,” he added.