Dimapur, October 29 (MExN): A number of Naga civil organizations are scheduled to meet with the NSCN (IM) at ‘Hebron Camp,’ the armed organization’s headquarters, near Dimapur on Tuesday, October 29. The meeting is expected to “update” the civil organizations about the “latest position” of the NSCN (IM)-Government of India dialogue, as local newspapers put it in a Monday report.
With Media from the State as well as national observers and newspapers surfacing with heady reports of an “impending solution” to the more than 50 years of Naga political conflict, there is an air of expectation not to mention speculations about what this elusive ‘solution’ could be. The recent Joint Legislators’ Forum of Nagaland, a group of elected government leaders from the State, meeting with the Central leaders added more to the fever.
Adding to the expectations are sketchy details and confusing feedback from some sources regarding the “consultations” on October 30. According to some leaders the meeting was just a ‘normal meeting’ with civil society leaders and not much of ‘crucial consultations.’ And as usual none expressed absolutely any idea as to what is ‘going on’ in regard to the processes involved in the making of the envisaged ‘solution.’
General sentiments about the ‘Indo-Naga’ dialogue between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India, which began in 1997 with a ceasefire, has been that most still do not have any idea about what exactly are the developments, the issues involved or the points of dialogue between the two sides, leave alone what the ‘impending solution’ could be. For instance, Naga Hoho’s President Keviletuo Kiewhuo was queried what form the reported solution could be at all. He merely said there are ‘speculations.’
He refused to comment any further than saying that ‘we will have to hear from the NSCN (IM) as well as the Government of India for now. ‘I have nothing to say at this moment.’
Reports have stated that the NSCN (IM) would be meeting the Naga Hoho and the United Naga Council of Manipur separately.
A member of the Nagaland Cabinet also said he had ‘absolutely no idea’ about what the potential form of the reported ‘impending solution’ could be. “You tell me; you are the journalist; everyone is assuming; I am more curious than you. We are not privy (to the points of dialogue or their resolution between the group and the Indian government),” said the government leader. He refused to be named.
Nonetheless, the source said that Nagaland government leaders have assured the Government of India that if any solution is to come, then it should be before the elections. A week ago, a delegation of Nagaland’s Joint Legislators’ Forum – consisting of the ruling government led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and the Opposition led by Congress leader Tokeheho Yepthomi – was in Delhi recently to meet with the Central Indian leaders. The frantic turn of events added more to speculations that a ‘solution’ may have been arrived at, after decades.
‘I can only tell you that when we met the Central government and Opposition all of them were positive that the vexed Naga political issue must be solved.’
Leader of the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights and currently member of the FNR Neingulo Krome was also contacted and queried about the consultations. At the time of filing this new report, Krome said he was unaware of any meeting or consultations. Most government leaders this daily contacted refused to comment on the issue in question particularly about the topic of ‘solution’ or what form it could be at all.
Also, Naga netizens and users across the internet, particularly those on social networking sites, continue to raise curious questions about what the reported solution – whether concrete or suggested – could be at all and how many Nagas do not have ‘any idea at all.’ Hopefully, the NSCN (IM)-civil organizations’ meeting on October 30 would clear the confusion in the minds of many Nagas.
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