Nagaland CM and NLA Speaker respond to criticism against PWC
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 25 (MExN): Nagaland State Chief Minister, TR Zeliang and NLA Speaker, Chotisuh Sazo today issued a rejoinder to a recent statement made by five Naga political groups criticising the activities of the Parliamentary Working Committee (PWC) of the Nagaland Joint Legislators’ Forum (JLF) on Naga political issue.
In a joint statement, the Nagaland CM and the NLA Speaker stated that the election manifestos of all political parties in Nagaland have always included the peaceful resolution of the Naga political issue as one of its agenda. “This is sought to be done, not by active participation in the political dialogue between the Govt. of India and the NPGs, but by acting as a facilitator to the peace process,” it stated.
The CM and Speaker reminded that the Naga political issue “does not belong to the NPGs alone, it belongs to the entire Nagas as a whole.” They reasoned that elected representatives of the people have a duty and responsibility to help and facilitate the peaceful resolution of the Naga political issue.
The PWC, they informed consists of “representatives of all Naga tribes and political parties having representation in the House, and the two MPs of Nagaland.” They said that the PWC met with several top leaders from the both the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India, including NSCN (IM) Ato Kilonser, Th Muivah, the Indian PM, Home Minister and interlocutor to the Naga peace talks.
The CM and the Speaker said that the PWC’s meeting with various leaders of the central government was to brief them about the unique history of the Nagas, their political struggle, and also to seek their support in Parliament as and when a final settlement of the Naga political issue comes up, either for amendment of the Indian Constitution, or for enactment of Special Acts by Parliament.
“We feel this campaign is not pre-mature, because when the final agreement is arrived at, and bills are introduced in Parliament, the PWC may not have opportunities to meet various national political leaders, and discuss the Naga issue in details with them. So, we feel why should we wait till the last moment,” they stated.
The CM and the NLA Speaker informed that the parties to the Naga political dialogue have assured to the PWC that before signing the final agreement, all important stakeholders would be consulted. “So our activities are not to be misunderstood as giving a blank cheque to the Govt. of India and the NSCN (IM) to ink any agreement they deem fit and proper.”
While acknowledging that the Framework Agreement is “basically a preamble, setting out the commitment and intention of both the parties to resolve the Naga political issue at an early date,” the CM and NLA Speaker stated that “final detailed agreement will be worked out in consultation with all the NPGs of Nagaland, and other important Naga organizations, including the Nagaland Legislators’ Forum on Naga Political Issue.”
The CM and NLA Speaker expressed hope that the Indian PM and the NSCN (IM) collective leadership will work out a solution that is beneficial and honourable for the Nagas.
“If we feel that the final agreement worked out by the parties to the dialogue is not beneficial or honourable for the Nagas, we still have the right to make suggestions so as to meet the expectations and interests of the Nagas,” they added.
Therefore, they stated that this is an opportune moment to brief the Indian political leaders about the Naga issue, and to “lobby for a wider support to the Naga cause, that will help in expediting or facilitating the final resolution of the Naga political issue.”
The CM and the NLA Speaker further welcomed broad-based consultations with all stake holder groups, including the NPGs, “so that we may work together in the spirit of oneness and unity to strengthen the Naga political cause.”
