(From left) Theja Therieh, KK Sema, Shikuto Zalipu, Sulanthung Lotha and Nungsang Jamir at the press conference announcing the Naga Common Platform, on November 13. (Morung Photo)
Public rally on November 18 at Agri Expo
Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 13
The question of reconciling the Framework Agreement and Agreed Position has popped up again. The Nagaland Gaon Bura Federation (NGBF), in partnership with the Naga Hoho, Senior Citizens’ Association of Nagaland (SCAN) and Naga Tribal Council Chümoukedima Town, has announced it will hold a public rally on November 18 to press for reconciling the two Agreements, and push for an early and final resolution to the protracted Indo-Naga political issue under the banner of a Naga Common Platform.
The announcement was made at a press conference, in Dimapur on November 13, jointly addressed by representatives of the aforementioned organisations. They included SCAN Spokesperson KK Sema, NGBF President Shikuto Zalipu, peace activist and former Nagaland Tribes Council member Theja Therieh, and Naga Tribal Council Chümoukedima Town (NTCCT) President Nungsang Jamir. Zalipu is the Convenor of the said common platform.
SCAN Spokesperson KK Sema said that the common platform seeks to create a unified platform for all Nagas— the tribal hohos, civil society organisations, Gaon Buras (village headmen), including the various Naga Political Groups (NPGs), irrespective of political boundaries. The venue will be the Agri Expo, 4th Mile, Chümoukedima.
“We are hoping that there will be no roadblocks, no obstruction from any corner for once in our lives…” said Sema, who is also a member of the organising committee for the Naga Common Platform.
According to him, the NSCN (IM) and WC, NNPGs have done their best to ensure that the Naga identity and rights are accounted for throughout the parallel political negotiations with the Government of India.
However, he reminded that the movement has fragmented into many different groups “that do not see eye to eye.” “Through the Nagaland Gaon Bura Federation (NGBF), we are calling for a common platform for the Nagas… We want them to spell out whether we as Nagas want a solution or not,” he said.
“As far as we are concerned, we look at both the Agreements as matured agreements.” The Government of India must, therefore, put it together as one comprehensive solution covering every aspect of the two Agreements, he said.
Why NGBF?
Sema said that the NGBF is being used to lead the call for a solution based on a perceived failure of the apex tribal bodies to unite the Nagas. As a traditional and respected structure, he said that the GB Federation is seen as the only body capable of providing a common platform.
According to him, the GBs are not government agents but are respected traditional leaders who have been bearing burdens from all sides. The appointment by the government is, however, simply an acknowledgement of the respected position and responsibility they already hold within the community, he argued.
On FNR
He further addressed what he said was allegation that the NGBF has been trying to front itself as a parallel platform against the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR). He denied the NGBF has such a motive.
He said, “We applaud them for trying to bring the Nagas together in a spirit of forgiveness and togetherness. These are exercises that is required whether it is now or post-solution.”
However, he said the NGBF has a definite objective that is completely separate from the FNR’s, to secure a solution based on the two existing agreements with the Government of India (GoI).
State of limbo
NTCCT President Nungsang Jamir said that the Naga political issue has remained frustratingly stuck in a state of limbo for far too long. He said, “This situation is deeply frustrating, not only for me, but for everyone who has long awaited meaningful cooperation. I strongly feel that it is high time for the people of Nagaland, in general, to voice their shared frustration and make our statement heard by the government of India.”
Theja Therieh, who is a member of the organising committee, Naga Common Platform, said that the peace process has evolved to become more a burden over 28 years of negotiations. “Ten years of Framework Agreement kept on hold. Eight years of Agreed Position kept on hold. For how long the people will bear with this burden of peace process,” he asked.
At such a juncture, he said that the Naga Common Platform led by the NGBF provides the right stage to “speak out their mind.”
Therieh called for all stakeholders involved in the negotiation process to be accountable and answer uncomfortable questions and “feel the pulse of the people.”
Trust deficit
Naga Hoho President Sulanthung Lotha said that the Naga social fabric has been beset with trust deficit. To overcome the trust deficit, he appealed to all Nagas to unite with confidence and a spirit of oneness. He asserted that the Naga Hoho will remain politically non-partisan, supporting policies on an issue-by-issue basis for the collective Naga interest.
Invitation to all
Sema said that invitations to the November 18 rally are being extended to all Naga Political Groups, civil society organisations, and Naga communities in Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
He described the platform as an open house where anybody can and should take the opportunity to express exactly what they want.
In March, this year, a collective of Naga Civil Societies convened by the NGBF, Peace Committee, had called for merging of the two parallel Agreements, which was rejected by the NSCN (IM).
On the prospect of the NSCN (IM) attending the upcoming common platform, he said that it is an opportunity for them to explain their position to the people. He added that whatever the outcome of the November 18 rally will be relayed to the GoI.
