DIMAPUR, MAY 29 (MExN): The Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) submitted a representation to the Government of India, when it met the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi on May 19 in New Delhi.
In its representation, the NTC asked the PM to take decisive action towards resolving the Naga political problem by inviting the Working Group of 6 Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), comprising the NNC/FGN, GPRN/NSCN, NSCN/GPRN (R), NNC (Parent Body), NNC/GDRN (N/A), and NPGN/NNC (N/A).
Terming the formation of the Working Group as a “positive development towards peace,” the NTC stated that initiating official dialogue would be “in the interest of the Nagas as a whole in the context of Naga contemporary politics.”
It informed that “now, the 5 NNPGs except the hesitant NNC/FGN led by Thinoselie and Shinga have agreed to have political negotiation if so invited by GoI.” “Besides, the Working Group has entrusted NTC to shoulder the role of mediation between the NNPGs and GoI for political settlement,” it revealed.
The NTC appreciated the Prime Minister’s positive response that the crucial peace process “will be carried forward to a practical level with renewed effort for a lasting solution to the protracted Naga political problem.”
“While keeping the aspirations of the Nagas alive for the wellbeing of posterity, the GOI is expected to have genuine negotiation with all stakeholders to work out the basis of what is giveable and acceptable in the contemporary political situation,” it stated.
The NTC representation meanwhile asserted that lasting political solution would be acceptable only through inclusive dialogue. “The bare truths are that NSCN (IM) led by Th. Muivah is just one of the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) which does not represent the rest of the other NNPGs. Besides, NSCN (IM) is neither authorised by the Nagas of Nagaland to negotiate and enter into any agreement with GoI for the destiny of the State of Nagaland,” it said.
Regarding the Framework Agreement, the NTC said that the signed document “can neither be parallel nor placed above the Constitution of India.” “Should any issue concerning the interest of Nagaland State be settled out of the ongoing exclusive dialogue, it will tantamount to undermining the existence of the Nagas of Nagaland.
In view of these facts, the NTC has made itself clear without ambiguity to one and all that such settlement without taking the people of Nagaland into confidence will be ultimately rejected under any circumstances,” it stated.
