DIMAPUR, MARCH 7 (MExN): The working group of five Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) today issued a statement appealing to the tribes of Nagaland state in particular and all Nagas in general to “prepare themselves for greater responsibilities in the near future.”
A press note from the NNPGs Working Group, while referencing recent statements made by Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh; Minister of State, Kiren Rijiju and Prime Minister, Narendra Modi regarding the Framework Agreement, inferred that “integration of Naga lands would not happen now or in the near future.”
It therefore questioned how the Government of India could “even think about apolitical solution in Nagaland without involving the Naga National political groups of mainland Nagaland.”
It further pointed to the statement of the GoI Parliamentary Standing Committee that “solution to the Naga issue will have to be found by taking on board all Groups (stakeholders),” and that neighboring states must be consulted before any solution.
The Working Group said it would be unwise to “entrust the state governments of Manipur, Assam or Arunachal Pradesh to decide the destiny and future of Nagas of mainland Nagaland.” “With integration issue set aside, will the GOI call upon neighbouring state governments to decide the existence and future of Nagaland and its inhabitants?” it questioned.
The NNPGs Working Group made clear that any acceptable solution and arrangement that fulfils the aspiration of Nagas of Manipur would not be opposed. It however informed the GoI that the territory of present Nagaland state “should not be infringed at any cost nor transplant population from beyond the boundary into present Nagaland state while arriving at a solution with NSCN (IM).”
“The people of Nagaland are not fools and they will respond where and when necessary. The GOI must initiate prompt steps to finalize acceptable solution for Nagas outside the present Nagaland state,” it added.
The Working Group acknowledged that the Naga people are scattered across Myanmar, Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
It added that “in order to pursue our rightful place among nations of the world, indigenous Naga brethren across length and breadth of Myanmar and India must understand that if physical integration of Naga areas is not possible at a present time, for practical and technical necessity, it demands the GOl and Nagas of mainland Nagaland to arrive at an honourable and acceptable political solution while maintaining emotional integration with Nagas across artificial boundaries.”
The present Nagaland state, it stated, “is the cradle of Naga political struggle,” and called for “idealism, gross political assumptions and historical errors” to be corrected through “practical political steps.” It further cautioned that the “longer the Gol hold the people’s will at ransom, the people of Nagaland shall not rest.”
