Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio addressing the House during the 8th session of the 13th NLA on August 3, 2021. (DIPR)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 3
The first day of business during the 8th session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly was dominated by discussion on matters of urgent public importance pertaining to the Naga political issue.
Initiating the discussion, Minister for Planning and Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs Neiba Kronu said, “this is a crucial time. We have to make more efforts.” He felt that the House should come out with a resolution and approach the negotiating parties.
In his remark, leader of the house and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio stressed on the need for the state to work together. Along with the elected members, the civil societies, public leaders and all the stakeholders should put up a united front on the protracted Naga Political issue and ‘give the last push,’ he said. We will continue to work wherever we are required, Rio added.
Emphasizing on unity and reconciliation to achieve common goal of the Nagas, Rio expressed dismay to see huge divisions among the Nagas. “Naga society is thoroughly divided. Sad to say but even overgrounds are badly divided in tribalism, political and social lines,” he said.
On the NPF party’s resolution to have an opposition-less government, Rio said that the NDDP passed a resolution welcoming the move. Further consultation and discussions with alliance partner BJP are on, he added.
Opposition Leader TR Zeliang said that it was high time for all the Nagas, particularly the 60 elected members, to pursue the matter vigorously for a peaceful settlement as desired by the Nagas and the Government of India (GoI). Considering the current stalemate in the negotiations, Zeliang expressed concern that the common people would have to bear the brunt if a breakdown in the talks were to occur.
Zeliang maintained that the NPF had always stood for the various splintered Naga Political Groups (NPGs) to reconcile and come together for the common cause as this will give leverage in the negotiations. With this spirit, we have been working to bring all the groups together, he said, while adding that its proposal for an opposition-less government was also conceptualized to reflect this sentiment. The concept should not be for cheap political gains but rather to strengthen the progress of the negotiations and also to fulfill the aspirations of the Naga people. He said that until the formalities for an opposition-less government is completed, the NPF members would continue to maintain status quo ante.
Further, Zeliang said that every strata of Naga society should be taken into confidence to attain the ultimate goal of permanent peace in the land. The animosity prevalent amongst the various NPGs, apparently resulting from past events, will stand as the greatest stumbling block for the Nagas, he asserted.
“We the elected representative should not shy away from spelling out the facts of the matter and strive with conviction to help unite the various Naga Political Groups,” the opposition leader stated.
Reiterating that the NPGs should seriously consider and accept the fact that unity amongst them will bring forth manifold positive results, Zeliang emphasized that the signing of the Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015 and the Agreed Position on November 17, 2017, should not be left to idle out without reaching a logical conclusion.
Similar sentiments were echoed by other legislators who participated in the discussion.
Among others, MLA Imkong L Imchen said that the Naga people’s desire for peaceful existence is understandably becoming unbearable while MLA Chotisuh Sazo said the Naga political movement is a people based movement asserting the rights and identity of the Nagas to live free as a people. While being appreciative of the negotiating parties, Sazo said “we must urge upon the negotiating parties to take all sections of the people into confidence so as to avoid dissensions in the future.”
He added that the House should urge the GoI to be sincere and to expedite the peace talks to bring an amicable, honorable and acceptable solution inclusive of all Naga groups. He said that the negotiating parties should be transparent with their Competency Clauses and Agreed Positions.
On similar lines, Advisor Pukhayi pointed out that any resolutions passed by the House should not contradict any group but result in a peaceful settlement.
Advisor Khehovi Yepthomi reasoned that the Naga people should not miss the opportunity at a time when the GoI is showing seriousness in solving the issue. MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu said the aspiration for sovereignty should be continued with a pragmatic, sensible and practical approach.
Further, Minister Tongpang Ozukum, while appreciating the supreme sacrifices made by the Naga Political Groups since the beginning of the movement, also appealed to them to forget and forgive the past mistakes and to come together as one.
The discussions culminated with the adoption of a five-point resolution which was moved by the CM and seconded by leader of the opposition. (See Box)
(With inputs from DIPR)
