DIMAPUR, AUGUST 26 (MExN): The GPRN/NSCN, NNC (Non Accordist), NNC/GDRN and the NNC/NPGN today accused Nagaland State Chief Minister, TR Zeliang of “playing haphazard diabolical politics that is heading towards crippling political, social and economic status of the people of Nagaland.”
A joint statement from the four groups, issued through the MIP of the GPRN/NSCN, said that on the Indo-Naga issue, the CM “has clearly admitted that he does not know the contents of the August 3, 2015 accord between GoI and a single faction, yet he continues to appeal for support to a document which even Indian National Congress President, Sonia Gandhi is in the dark and would not comment.”
“It is very dangerous for a state Chief Minister to take the stand he is taking,” the statement said, and advised that the CM should, “like the people of Nagaland, leave GoI and NSCN (IM) alone as the accord primarily focuses on political arrangement for Nagas in neighbouring states.” The statement added that it “does not include Nagaland in the real sense which is why it is unwise to seek support in a non inclusive talk.”
It further reminded that on March 9, 2016, at Police Guest House in Chumukedima, the Naga political groups “categorically expressed themselves to the state Chief Minister and NLA members and later through the media of their status and position on the August 3, 2015 accord.”
“Considering the reality that the GoI has ruled out sovereignty and integration of Naga areas,” the statement noted that “it is the Chief Minister’s constitutional and moral duty to brief the people with facts” and to “inform the GoI of the reality on the ground.”
The statement accused the CM of “selling hope to the people of Nagaland.” It further stated that the CM’s “obsession” with the Framework Agreement “clearly suggests that he is conniving to destroy Nagaland altogether.”
“If TR Zeliang truly believes GoI and NSCN (IM) are on a verge of a solution, he should lead the way by dissolving the assembly as per NLA resolution,” it added.
The Naga political groups, it asserted, have taken “serious note” of the CM’s “unprecedented action” while inaugurating a veterinary college in Peren, wherein it was alleged that the CM “performed Hindu/Heraka ritual, which greatly hurt the sentiments of Christian Nagas.” “His dismissive attitude towards Naga social, religious and cultural values is unforgivable,” the statement said.
It further questioned whether Zeliang is “the Chief Minister for Nagaland or for neighbours.” “Can the future of Nagaland be allowed to evaporate to facilitate a person’s or faction’s ambition? It posed.
It asserted that a political solution cannot be “marketed because Nagas do not believe in political illusions.” “Nagaland and its people are renowned for their hospitality; at the same time the land, history and political right have been fiercely protected. Those who dream of harnessing people’s support to finally seal a deal behind people’s back will face the people. We place on record that the consequences for betraying the people and land, in the event of a political fallout, would be very costly,” it cautioned.
The joint statement made clear to the Government of India that the people of Nagaland “have tasted bitterness and ramifications of exclusive accords signed in the past.” It stated that should the GoI and the NSCN (IM) agree to remove sovereignty from the table, “let there be clear understanding and distinction between the administrative or economic settlement which is on the anvil with a single Naga group mostly of neighbouring states, and a political solution for the people of Nagaland.” It urged that the former should not be imposed in Nagaland.
“We are not against our Naga brothers and sisters living in different administrative areas in India and Myanmar. We are simply pointing out the pattern of human progress in today’s context,” it added, while affirming that “wherever we may be, we Nagas will pursue emotional, social, cultural and economic co-operation and excellence. Our customs and traditions practiced over a thousand years shall remain and be maintained.”
The joint statement meanwhile asserted that the people of Nagaland are “prepared and shall decide what is best for ourselves.”
