DIMAPUR, JUNE 1 (MExN): The NPCC Media Cell has alleged that the “NPF does not want a solution” to the Naga political issue. A press note stated that “the NPF rhetoric on the Naga political issue is more of an empty vessel making more noises since they are more interested in ruling the State rather than have a rational approach to facilitate a solution.” The NPCC ridiculed the promise made during the election campaign for state assembly elections in 2003, when the NPF promised solution within 3 months if voted to power.
It added that in 2006, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had declared on the floor of the house that the Naga Political dialogue was going in the right direction however the NPCC said that solution still remains elusive after nearly 16 years of ceasefire and countless rounds of talks.
The NPCC has also raised the issue of the Joint Legislative Forum (JLF) and how in the month of August 2012, all the 60 legislators along with 2 MPs met all the central leaders and apprised them for an early solution to the Naga political issue. It was also mentioned that as per the resolutions adopted on different occasions by the JLF, the Congress decided to resign in order to pave way for an early solution. However it added that the NPF, contrary to the JLF Resolution, took a stand that they have the mandate of the people and would not resign before any solution thus, bringing an end to the JLF of the 11th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
On the other hand, the NPF continues to have strained relations with all the neighboring states where other Naga brothers inhabit, stated the NPCC while also pointing out that this has become one of the main stumbling blocks to find a solution to the Naga issue. It stated that since the NPF led DAN has entered its third term in power; they should come out publicly on what contributions they have given to facilitate the solution of Naga political problem for the past decade.
“The NPF has to understand that it cannot serve two masters. The fickle mindedness in its political stand between UPA and NDA, besides straining relations with all the neighboring states goes to show that the NPF does not want solution, because the urge to continue ruling the state with nepotism and corruption has blinded all their political wisdom”, stated the NPCC.
This according to the NPCC has also rendered them immune to the cries of the people who have to bear the brunt of unabated taxation. “Unless the NPF change their stand towards the Naga political issue and towards the people’s welfare, Nagaland will continue to suffer more in the days to come”.
On the issue of taxation, the NPCC stated that the NPF stand of maintaining equi-closeness differs from the Congress stand of maintaining equidistance to all underground (UG) groups. The Congress also alleged that the NPF policy of equi-closeness has further divided the UGs into different groups during the last ten years. It also stated that in spite of NGOs, Civil Societies, Church leaders voicing out against unabated taxation, it was the duty of the government to enforce the rule of law.
The Congress stated that NPF leaders find it convenient to take shelter under the pretext of equating law and order problems with the Naga political issue and this has resulted into the menace of “unabated taxation”.
The NPCC suggested that it was high time that the Naga political issue be delinked from the law & order problem. Stating that Nagaland has the highest police-population ratio (1:74) in the country, the NPCC informed that the state has more than 10 units of Assam Rifles located in various district Hqs and various Central Armed Police Forces which is sufficient ‘to enforce the writ of the state’ in containing this taxation menace.
“However, the NPF led DAN government has looked the other way round”, the NPCC stated. The press note added that the NPF had contradicted themselves by first supporting the Civil Societies movement against unabated taxation and at the same time justifying taxation by UGs for their sustenance and rehabilitation.
“This exposes the bitter truth that the state government is helpless to the menace of unabated taxation and is clueless on effective measures to reduce the burden of the people,” stated the release. The NPCC stated that if the NPF is serious about the sustenance and rehabilitation of the UGs, “then instead of blaming the Congress, the NPF government should send a proposal to the Government of India to support the UGs for their sustenance and rehabilitation, if the UG groups agree to such proposals.” However it questioned as to whether the NPF has done such an exercise or not.
