Dimapur, June 13 (MExN): The Working Committee of the Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs) on Sunday urged the Government of India (GoI) to reconsider signing of accords in Assam, following reports of a proposed move by the GoI and the Assam government to create Karbi-Anglong Autonomous Territorial Council (KAATC).
In a press statement issued by its Media Cell, the WC, NNPGs asserted that any accord signed in the tribal belt that endangers the historical, demographic, political and cultural identity of the Nagas will be against the spirit of the ongoing political dialogue between GoI and WC, NNPGs.
As such, it stated that the Naga Contiguous Territories and disputed border areas in Nagaland-Assam must not be infringed till a comprehensive Indo-Naga political solution is arrived at.
It revealed that there is a “clear segment” in the negotiated points under the Agreed Position signed on November 17, 2017 which entirely deals with the Naga people and the ancestral territories in the present state of Assam.
“Zeliangrong areas of North Cachar, Rengma Region including Mikir Hills and other Naga Tribal Areas should not be brought under the purview of any agreement till such areas are reassigned to the respective Naga Tribes and the Constitutional position as of 1949 is restored,” it asserted.
While taking due note of accords entered into with any entity to fulfil and safeguard their social and economic interest, the WC, NNPGs stated that to discard and dishonour Naga history and political right through such exercise would add to the trust deficit of Nagas with the Union of India festering for many decades.
“Enforcing any accord of the kind in Karbi Anglong or other area in Assam affecting Nagas and their land, creating new system contrary to the negotiated political and administrative structure of Assam Nagas in the status paper would be another lump of salt on the wound of Naga people,” it cautioned.
“Any agreement that contravenes the Agreed Position with the working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs) and the Government of India, will amount to breach of trust and faith deposed by the Nagas on the Indian Union,” it said.
The WC, NNPGs urged the GoI to reconsider signing of accords in Assam in haste so as to maintain mutual respect and communal harmony in the region.
‘Agreed Position assures Pan-Naga identity’
Meanwhile, it stated that the Agreed Position signed on November 17, 2017 and the subsequent political negotiations “clearly answer the Naga historical question, the Naga political question and future relationship for the next generation.”
Despite the “brief lull” in the ongoing talks due to the pandemic, the Naga people are confident in the official position of GoI with NNPGs on the question of Indo-Naga political solution, it said.
It maintained that with the conclusion of the talks announced on October 31, 2019 by GoI and the two negotiating Naga groups, “Few unresolved issues were to be pursued and resolved through democratic process post solution.”
This is “assuredly the position of the Home Ministry, the GoI interlocutor, and the Nagaland State Government,” it claimed, and added that any entity deviating from the 2019 declaration must be deemed as open defiance to Naga people’s aspiration for honourable and acceptable solution.
The wrongs of the past against the Naga people and their inhabited ancestral land is being relooked and restructured as per the negotiated terms between GoI and WC, NNPGs, it further assured.
.JPG)
