Karaiba Chawang
Kohima | March 18
State Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today said that his approach towards the factional feud is for unity and reconciliation with the spirit of forgive-and-forget. Rio regretted that even over-grounds leaders never sat down together for talks. “Even over-ground leaders don’t talk, we don’t speak to each other on the issue”, Rio said, adding that how they can expect underground groups to come together for talks. “Central leaderships are serious. If we come together, the GOI of India will listen to us” Rio told the opposition.
The Chief Minister, while replying to the opposition on the Governor’s address defended DAN’s equi- closeness policy by stating that they are maintaining equi-closeness with all the groups including over-grounds and undergrounds. “Nagas never shed blood for statehood, but for the sovereignty”, Rio said adding that no doubt the statehood had brought some relief to the Nagas, but it also had complicated the Naga political issue.
Rio also clarified that though the policy was not written down in ‘black and white’, the Cabinet had earlier approved of it during its sitting which was also attended by JD (U) MLA Huska Sumi and DAN Chairman Hokhishe Sema. Rio also said that though there are factional feuds in various parts of the state on daily basis the NGOs and civil societies have become fed up, and as such has chosen to keep quiet.
Reconsider facilitator role: Therie
Former Finance Minister in the Neiphiu Rio-led DAN government K. Therie has said that the State government should play a crucial role in the reconciliation efforts by officially meeting all factions of the Naga undergrounds.
Participating in the debate at the tenth Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Therie said as representatives, the legislators should officially meet those warring groups on behalf of the people of Nagaland and bring them back to one platform.
Therie also said that it was high time the government reconsider its role of a mere facilitator and supporter, and re-establish the confidence of the people and different undergrounds factions.
“It is our responsibility to secure political settlement”, Therie said. Referring to the factional clashes, Therie castigated the state government for its silence on factional clashes, while adding that the state government represents even the Naga undergrounds and the latter too is a state subject and as such, the government must have a say on it.
Therie also emphasized on the need to meet and hold dialogue with the neighbouring states for political settlement. “We cannot find solution by confronting with our neighbour”, Therie added.
DAN Chairman admits to mediation failure
The Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) Chairman Dr Hokishe Sema today said that failure to play a successful mediation role had compelled the NSCN-IM to look for the international third party in the ongoing dialogue with the government of India. The DAN chairman also pointed out that involvement of such international third party mediator will only prolong the talks.
Dr Hokishe, asserting that the utmost priority of he DAN government is to bring about political solution, as assured by them earlier also expressed appreciation to the Indian leaders for gradually understanding the intricacy of the Naga political problem.
While appreciating the government of India for taking the talks to the highest political level, he however said that negotiations with different factions simultaneously had created confusion and conflict between the two groups, which in turn had brought about law and order problems.
“We should appeal to the GOI to be more sincere, so that practicable and honourable solution is brought about”, said Dr. Hokishe.
In spite of so many rounds of talks between the GOI and NSCN-IM, still there seems to be a lot of misunderstanding between them, which he said is threatening the continuation of the peace process. “Therefore we have to correct the GOI and the negotiating party and bring them back to the right path”, said Dr Hokishe. The DAN chairman also urged upon the government of India to work in the interest of the Nagas.
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