Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 17
The NSCN (IM) and the Government of India is scheduled to resume the political negotiations, stalled since May, this year. If things play out as disclosed by the Co-convenor of the Core Committee of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly’s Parliamentary Committee on Naga Political Issue (PCoNPI), TR Zeliang, the NSCN (IM) leadership will be heading to Delhi by the end of September for resuming the talks.
The Core Committee met the NSCN (IM) leadership at the Nagaland Police Complex in Chümoukedima on September 17. The minutes of the meeting, held behind closed doors, remained largely confidential. But as told by Zeliang, the talks will resume on September 28.
Taking queries from the media after the meeting, Zeliang said that the NSCN (IM) was conveyed what was entrusted of the Committee by the Government of India during the Core Committee’s recent meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah.
Recapping the turn of events that resulted in today’s meeting, Zeliang said that the Committee met Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswas Sarma on September 7 and thereafter met Shah on September 12.
In the September 12 meeting, he said that they conveyed to Shah the stand and contention of the NSCN (IM) as far as the latter’s refusal to talk was concerned. “The NSCN (IM)’s point of contention was that they are not happy with the Interlocutor AK Mishra because he has omitted some of the politically important points which was included in the formulation paper of (former Interlocutor) RN Ravi.”
Accordingly, he added that the Committee’s request to the GoI was resuming the talks “based on the paper formulated by RN Ravi and based on the Framework Agreement.” This request was likely green-signaled as, according to Zeliang, the GoI agreed.
“They (NSCN-IM) said if that is so, if the talks are to be based on the Framework Agreement and based on the formulation paper submitted by RN Ravi and AK Mishra, then they are willing to continue to talk,” he said of the NSCN (IM) leadership’s response in the meeting.
Backdropped by stalled talks together with perceived mistrust between the negotiating parties, the situation gave rise to the impression that the Core Committee’s role has evolved into that of a de facto interlocutor. But Zeliang clarified that the Core Committee’s role as a “facilitator” remains unchanged. He said, “Our duty is to convey the feeling of Nagas and the feeling of the GoI to the negotiators. In no way, we are part of the negotiations. So people should not misconstrue on that. We have conveyed the feeling of the Government of India and we have already conveyed to the GoI the feeling of the NSCN (IM). Things are working out and let’s hope that the talks will resume very soon.”
Like it has been in other meetings, Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, who is the Convenor of the Core Committee, slipped away, evading the media. Other members, who attended, included Deputy CM, Y Patton; Pangnyu Phom, Paiwang Konyak, Jacob Zhimomi, Neiba Kronu, G Kaito Aye, Yitachu, TR Zeliang, Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu, Dr Ngangshi K Ao, K Khalo, Metsubo Jamir, Kashiho Sangtam, H Haying, Imkong L Imchen, Mmhonlumo Kikon, Chotisuh Sazo, Muthingyuba Sangtam and Rajya Sabha Member, S Phangnon Konyak.
The NSCN (IM) delegation was led by Rh Raising, who is a senior member of the Collective Leadership. Raising, who appeared rather reluctant to speak to the media, corroborated Zeliang’s disclosure about the resumption of talks. “That’s right, we will be leaving one of these days for talks with the Government of India,” was his response when media persons caught up with him.
He maintained that arriving at a solution is in the court of the GoI. “It is not in the court of the Core Committee, it is not in the court of the NSCN (IM). It is for them (GoI) to decide. We have been waiting for their response.”
He was accompanied by TT Among, Kraibo Chawang, KK Angami, Vikiye Awomi, Chuba Pongen, Kimong Lowang, Major (Retired) Hutovi Chishi, Akhah Konyak, besides Anthony Ningkhan Shimray, NSCN (IM) army chief, who is also the Co-ordinator of the Indo-Naga Peace Talks and Wungmaring Zimik, Secretary, Indo-Naga Peace Talks.
