Dimapur, March 16 (MExN): The Rising People's Party (RPP) has proposed that the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) take direct charge of the Indo-Naga peace talks, terming the role of facilitator as meaningless and outdated.
“The 14th NLA should undertake the serious task of negotiating with the central government on the issue of political settlement in the state,” it stated.
In a statement, the RPP asserted that after 28 years of peace talks, the only tangible outcome has been the reduction of the Naga political issue to a law and order situation. It further criticised the NDPP-led state government for positioning itself as a facilitator, claiming that neither the Government of India (GoI) nor the various Naga Political Groups (NPGs) recognise any of its facilitating activities.
This stalemate and the mushrooming of more groups—presently 28—cannot continue indefinitely, it added.
According to the RPP, the NPGs had their chance to settle the Naga issue, but now it is ridiculous to imagine that the GoI will conclude any meaningful agreement with them.
The present negotiators should allow the NLA the opportunity to convince the GoI, it stated. To this end, it contended that the NLA is the mandated body of the people, and it is only natural and logical that it empowers itself to negotiate a settlement, as per the points highlighted in the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position.
This would also counter accusations from various quarters that the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP)-led government is actually impeding a solution despite its public grandstanding, it added.
This is a pressing matter—unlike the slogan opposition-less government, which is essentially a byword for money laundering, it claimed.
While acknowledging that its proposal may spark controversy, the RPP argued that a generational shift in approach and policymaking is necessary to achieve a lasting political settlement.
