Kohima, June 4 (MExN): In light of the recent Assam Rifles raid at NNC (parent body) Secretary, V. Nagi’s home in Jotsoma, the Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) today maintained that the “relentless provocations” by the security forces “has ultimately created its share of distrust between the GOI and Working Committee (Naga National Political Groups) which is a matter of serious concern.”
“The worst of all is the reaction of the Working Committee to keep the ongoing negotiation process on suspension till the GOI gives clarification on its stance. The posture adopted by the WC is justifiable for the fact that negotiation has to be wholesome and not double standard,” NTC added in a press statement issued by Media Cell.
NTC had stated, “One is perplexed at times when the GOI applies the ‘carrot and stick’ policy by provoking the prominent leaders of NNPGs who are officially engaged with GOI through raids of their homes by security forces in the name of keeping law and order.”
NTC asserted that those victims in particular and everyone who upholds the principles of ceasefire deserves better treatment than doubting and undermining their position. “What NTC does not understand is how bullying and provocative raids can virtually pave way for sustainable peace in the region,” it said.
NTC further noted it had remained stoic silent on the past incidents of raids of homes of few leaders in the hope that better sense on the part of security forces would prevail for the sake of peace in Nagaland and beyond.
Asserting that NTC has been working all these while to see that nothing derails the process of negotiation till it attains logical result, it urged the GoI to come out with clear cut policy without any ambiguity if at all it intends to fulfill its commitment on the negotiation and end with solution on time.
Meanwhile, it questioned the involvement of Nagaland Police in the raid at Nagi’s residence as reported in the local media. “All through these years, every successive Governments including PDA made repeated pledges to support the ongoing political negotiation between the NNPGs and GOI. Whereas, knowing fully that such provocative action as raid can hamper the process of negotiation, the participation of Nagaland Police is indeed dubious,” NTC stated.
“In fact, the Nagas deserve to know what is the stand of the state government in relation with political negotiation vis-à-vis raids.”
