Dimapur, Nov 25 (MExN): Nagaland legislators who participated in today’s Consultative Meeting for Peace noted the need for other rounds of sitting for possible constitution of required bodies towards pursuing the goal of finding a solution to the vexed Indo-Naga political imbroglio. The conclave was conducted under the chairmanship of Kiyanilie Peseyie, the Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. Altogether 55 MLAs attended the meeting. A release issued by the assembly secretariat said that the Speaker called for “free and frank deliberations and without any prejudice or political colour” so as to harbour in a non-violent negotiated settlement towards the Naga political problem.
Delivering his keynote address, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio expressed his desire for a common Naga voice to impress upon the Centre and the Naga underground groups the need for arriving at an expeditious and acceptable solution. “Many honourable members participated in the deliberations for peace and expressed desire for tangible result,” the release said.
Meanwhile, as per reports of the NEPS News Agency, Rio remarked during the meet that the two most “contentious and difficult issues” facing the peace talks were perhaps the issues of the “integration of Naga homeland and of Naga sovereignty.”
Rio however suggested that the issues of “integration and sovereignty can be taken as step by step process, if tackling them in one process is proving too difficult and elusive.” “Let us recall and remember how the present Nagaland State also came into being through a step by step process of integration of areas which were previously part of NEFA,” he stated. Rio cautioned that if the peace process was allowed to linger on for too long without any progress, the parties to the peace talk, as well as the general public may lose their patience, leading to its breakdown.
Speaking on the occasion, the Leader of the Opposition I Imkong expressed serious concern on the prevailing pathetic condition in the interior areas of Noklak, Shamator and Longkhim-Chare areas due to blockades by the underground factions. Drawing the attention of the DAN Government, Imkong said they were fully behind them (Government) if they try to devise ways to immediately address the prevailing dismal conditions prevailing in the said different areas following blockades by underground factions.
The DAN Chairman Dr Hokishe Sema in his address stated that as representatives of the people, the legislators should attempt to bring all Naga organizations to a broadly acceptable platform to unitedly raise their voice to the Government of India.
“Only then can we come to a tangible and successful solution,” he pointed out.
Others who gave short speeches included Dr Shürhozelie of the NPF, MC Konyak of the BJP and Deo Nukhu of the JD (U).
