‘Ceasefire does not have any rehabilitation formula or any provision of sustenance for national workers’
DIMAPUR, MAY 30 (MExN): The ruling Naga People’s Front has taken the stand that the ongoing ceasefire between the Government of India (GoI) and the Naga political groups does not have any “rehabilitation formula or any provision of sustenance for the national workers,” stated a press note issued by the NPF Press & Media Bureau.
The NPF stated, “The ceasefire between the GoI and the Naga groups was initially announced as having no territorial boundaries and at prime ministerial level with no parameters. However, the ceasefire does not have any rehabilitation formula or any provision of sustenance for the national workers.” This, the NPF asserted, “has made the national workers resort to taxation in various forms and the people have been made to suffer by bearing the burden.”
The NPF was responding to the initiative of civil society in Dimapur to curtail and streamline taxation by the different national groups and also the critical comments made by the Opposition Congress against ten years of NPF led DAN government.
“The GoI has not been sympathetic to the Naga people and despite the desire of the Naga people to see permanent peace, the GoI has kept the political solution at bay. Even an offer of a political agreement is yet to be placed before the people and in the meanwhile the national workers continue to impose taxation upon the people which is creating division, sporadic violence, hatred and stunting the growth of our society,” stated the NPF.
Pointing out that the Congress-led UPA has been at the helm of affairs for two consecutive terms and is going to complete ten years in power, the NPF expressed regret that despite the regular promises of Congress leaders including the Prime Minister, the Congress President and Union Ministers to bring about early political solution, “Naga people are yet to see real peace”.
The NPF went on to state that Congress leaders from Delhi will arrive in Nagaland by the dozens only during elections and Nagaland is forgotten once elections are over. “The Prime Minister of the country is yet to set foot in Nagaland for the past ten years except for about an hour during the elections in 2008,” it stated.
The NPF also stated that ten years of the peace process has not made much headway despite all efforts made by cross sections of Naga society led by the church, civil society and even elected members but the Congress government in Delhi has obviously turned a blind eye. “What is the reason behind this attitude? Will political settlement come only if the Congress is elected in Nagaland?”
The ruling party also questioned whether the peace process was being used to divide and weaken the Nagas. “The Congress party must provide answers to these questions to the Naga people. Instead of barking at the wrong tree, they should take up the matter with their party government in Delhi and join the people in bringing lasting peace through a political settlement that is honorable and acceptable to the people.”
The NPF has meanwhile extended its support to the initiative of civil society and hoped that all sections of the people will come forward in making the initiative successful. “In fact, due to taxation, the youth have faced multiple challenges in realizing their aspirations and their ambitions of achieving success,” it stated.
The ruling party also stated that the NPCC had once again taken the opportunity to criticize and attack the DAN government without any justification. “Therefore, it is pertinent to point out the truth, so that the people understand the reasons behind the present state of affairs,” the NPF stated while adding that the ongoing ceasefire is already more than fifteen years, but a final settlement to the imbroglio is yet to see the light of day.
