Nagaland CM, DAN cabinet and Nagaland MP meet Dr. Jitendra Singh; urge settlement before Christmas
New Delhi, November 5 (MExN): Nagaland Member of Parliament for Lok Sabha, Neiphiu Rio, has told Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region and MoS (Prime Minister’s Office) that this is the “most opportune time for a final (Indo-Naga) settlement with BJP governments in Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh and it will be in the interest of all if the settlement is done before Christmas.” Rio said this during a meeting on November 4 wherein Chief Minister of Nagaland, TR Zeliang along with his DAN Cabinet, met the Union leader. This was informed in a press release from the Press Secretary to the Chief Minister of Nagaland.
The meeting was held at Nagaland House, 29 Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road, New Delhi. Bhaskar Khulbe, IAS, Secretary to Prime Minister was also present in the meeting. TR Zeliang appreciated the leadership and vision of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for having ensured that “we are very near to the final settlement of the Naga Political issue,” and emphasized that it is essential that “the process for finalizing the final solution to its logical end is expedited.”
“It has been 20 years of negotiations and with the State scheduled to have Assembly Polls early next year, it is important that settlement is done before the elections,” the Chief Minister was stated as having said.
According to the press release, Dr. Jitendra Singh appreciated the initiative of Nagaland’s Chief Minister and his colleagues for highlighting the need for an early solution and hoped that settlement of Naga Political issue will be done soon.
Team meets NNPGs WC
Later in the evening, TR Zeliang with his team met the Working Committee (WC) for the six NNPGs that have been invited by Government of India to be a part of the talks. The leaders of the NNPGs present in the meeting included N Kitovi Zhimomi, Convener, WC, and Co-Conveners Zhopra Vero, Hozheto Chophy, V. Nagi, Kiumukam, Wangtin Naga and Alezo Venuh, Envoy.
The meeting was also at Nagaland House.
Zeliang appreciated the initiative of involving the six NNPGs in the talks as “it is essential for an inclusive and durable solution to the long standing Naga Political issue that all groups and sections of society are involved and taken on board.”
He ‘complimented’ the leaders of the NNPGs for their vision and maturity in joining the talks and hoped that “with the sincerity being shown by Government of India, the final settlement seems to be very near,” stated the press release. The Chief Minister and his colleagues apprised the leaders of NNPGs of their interactions with Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister, R N Ravi, Interlocutor for Naga Peace Talks and Dr. Jitendra Singh, MoS PMO earlier.
According to the press release, N Kitovi, Convenor of the WC of the NNPGs, appreciated the efforts made by Chief Minister Nagaland and his cabinet colleagues in ensuring that Government of India involves the six NNPGs in the talks. He highlighted the need for an early solution and hoped that settlement of Naga Political issue will be done before elections.
Wangtin Naga and other leaders also impressed upon the visiting team to continue working towards ensuring a final settlement of Naga Political issue that is “inclusive, honourable and acceptable to all for long standing peace in the State.”
Nagaland CM, DAN Cabinet meet NSA, Ajit Doval; urge settlement before election
New Delhi, November 5 (MExN): It is important that the Indo-Naga settlement is done before elections to Nagaland State scheduled early next year. Nagaland Chief Minister, TR Zeliang, stated this during a meeting with India’s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, Chief Minister TR Zeliang along with his colleagues in DAN Cabinet had a meeting with Doval on November 5 with regard to the early resolution of the Naga Political issue.
Nagaland Minister Imkong L Imchen also mentioned during the meeting that in the interest of a solution, State elections can be deferred.
“This has been the mother of all unresolved challenges in the North East and it is imperative that the same is settled for long standing peace in the region. Given the progress made and specially with the involvement of the six NNPG groups along with NSCN (IM) in the talks, this is the most opportune time for a solution,” stated the Nagaland Chief Minister during the meeting.
According to the press statement from Press Secretary to Nagaland CM, Doval appreciated the initiative and stated that everyone wishes for an early solution and it is important to look at what one can do towards achieving that objective. He asked the State Ministers to suggest what all can Government of India do for a solution before Christmas.
He emphasized that once the agreement is reached it will be essential for all concerned to build the right socio-political environment to make all stakeholders join hands for successful implementation of the agreement.
Doval acknowledged that suggestions made by the Nagaland State Government will be fully considered by Government of India. “It has to be a win-win situation for all,” Doval was stated to have said.
Further that “We have to together create a congenial atmosphere for acceptance of the agreement between Government of India and Naga National groups so that one can move ahead on the path of development and leave the history of clashes and violence behind.”
Nagaland Chief Minister, TR Zeliang, assured that the State Government will do everything possible for facilitating the solution.
