Mokokchung | April 28 : In what can be termed as one of the clearest statement regarding the stand of Government of India on the Naga political issue, Union Minister of State for Planning, Ashwani Kumar today said that the Naga political issue will be solved within the framework of the Indian Constitution only, since the constitution has enough scope to accommodate the demands of the Naga people and added that the UPA Government remain totally and fully committed on solving the Naga problem.
Addressing a press conference at Whispering Winds hotel here today, Ashwani Kumar who arrived yesterday to campaign for Dr SC Jamir in the 26th Aonglenden Constituency, asserted that the Government of India is committed to find an honorable and mutually acceptable solution to the long drawn Naga political problem within the framework of the Indian constitution.
“Government of India is prepared for wide ranging talks with the Naga people on finding an honourable and mutually acceptable solution (to the Naga issue) within the framework of the Indian constitution,” said Kumar.
On being asked about a possible reaction from the Naga groups who have asserted that the solution has to be found outside the Indian constitution, the Union Minister said that the Government of India has made its stand very clear on this matter. He further asserted that no elected government, which has vowed to uphold the constitution, pledged to protect the integrity and sovereignty of the nation, will go against the constitution, and therefore, the Naga problem has to be solved within the constitution only.
However, he maintained that the Constitution of India has amble scope to accommodate the dreams, aspirations and needs of the Naga people.
On being asked about a possible timeframe for finding the solution, Kumar lamented that there seems to be ‘no unanimity in views about the broad demands of all the factions and all the Naga people’. He said that even the ‘focus’ seems to be different among the Naga people.
However, he reiterated that it is the desire of the Government of India to bring as soon as possible to bring an honourable solution to the problem with ‘the participation of the representatives of Naga people’, in the interest of the people, political stability and interest of the state.
Earlier on Wednesday at an election related public meeting at Arkong Ward, Kumar said that he has been sent by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to convey the message that the Government of India stands totally and fully committed to solve the Naga issues in an amicable manner with the Naga factions and “within the framework of the constitution of India”. Besides, he also conveyed the message that the Government of India remains totally and irrevocably committed to the all round and non-negotiable development of all parts of Nagaland.
Dwelling on the Naga issue, Kumar said that the Indian government understands and recognizes that the aspirations of the Naga people should be accommodated within the framework of the constitution.
“Every nation, every country knows the outer parameters and boundaries, within which it has to achieve, and our parameters and boundaries are clearly defined for us, we know those boundaries, we are a democratic country. We are sensitive to the aspirations of the people, that is why, the Government of India is negotiating with the Nagas, but our hands are tied, …we want all Nagas to come on one platform, we tried so hard,” said Kumar. He urged the people to decide and see that the future of the Naga people and Nagaland state is within the framework of the Constitution and as an integral part of Indian Republic and as a nation of peace loving citizens.
Addressing a press conference at Whispering Winds hotel here today, Ashwani Kumar who arrived yesterday to campaign for Dr SC Jamir in the 26th Aonglenden Constituency, asserted that the Government of India is committed to find an honorable and mutually acceptable solution to the long drawn Naga political problem within the framework of the Indian constitution.
“Government of India is prepared for wide ranging talks with the Naga people on finding an honourable and mutually acceptable solution (to the Naga issue) within the framework of the Indian constitution,” said Kumar.
On being asked about a possible reaction from the Naga groups who have asserted that the solution has to be found outside the Indian constitution, the Union Minister said that the Government of India has made its stand very clear on this matter. He further asserted that no elected government, which has vowed to uphold the constitution, pledged to protect the integrity and sovereignty of the nation, will go against the constitution, and therefore, the Naga problem has to be solved within the constitution only.
However, he maintained that the Constitution of India has amble scope to accommodate the dreams, aspirations and needs of the Naga people.
On being asked about a possible timeframe for finding the solution, Kumar lamented that there seems to be ‘no unanimity in views about the broad demands of all the factions and all the Naga people’. He said that even the ‘focus’ seems to be different among the Naga people.
However, he reiterated that it is the desire of the Government of India to bring as soon as possible to bring an honourable solution to the problem with ‘the participation of the representatives of Naga people’, in the interest of the people, political stability and interest of the state.
Earlier on Wednesday at an election related public meeting at Arkong Ward, Kumar said that he has been sent by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to convey the message that the Government of India stands totally and fully committed to solve the Naga issues in an amicable manner with the Naga factions and “within the framework of the constitution of India”. Besides, he also conveyed the message that the Government of India remains totally and irrevocably committed to the all round and non-negotiable development of all parts of Nagaland.
Dwelling on the Naga issue, Kumar said that the Indian government understands and recognizes that the aspirations of the Naga people should be accommodated within the framework of the constitution.
“Every nation, every country knows the outer parameters and boundaries, within which it has to achieve, and our parameters and boundaries are clearly defined for us, we know those boundaries, we are a democratic country. We are sensitive to the aspirations of the people, that is why, the Government of India is negotiating with the Nagas, but our hands are tied, …we want all Nagas to come on one platform, we tried so hard,” said Kumar. He urged the people to decide and see that the future of the Naga people and Nagaland state is within the framework of the Constitution and as an integral part of Indian Republic and as a nation of peace loving citizens.
