More organisations jump on the ‘Solution before Election’ bandwagon
Kohima/Dimapur, January 9 (MExN): More organisations have asked for the Government of India, under the astute leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, invoke special measures to bring about a solution to the vexed Indo-Naga issue instead of imposing Nagaland State elections.
NJCF: The Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) – a body representing all the Christian Denominations in Nagaland—has written a memorandum to Indian Union Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealing that the Indo-Naga issue be resolved through an honourable and acceptable solution.
While stating that it was “truly appreciative” of the efforts to resolve the protracted Indo-Naga conflict, the Forum insisted that the progress made thus far “cannot be hijacked until and unless a permanent solution is hammered out.”
Reminding the Prime Minister of the unresolved problems and the untreated conflicts over the last seven decades, the Forum stated that the Nagas have gone through different phase of challenges and opportunities in recent times, “some of which seem to be hopeful, and yet unfortunately, some of which have led to further divide the Nagas.” “The problems have piled up one over the other with no proper attention,” it regretted.
However, the Forum expressed confidence in Modi’s leadership to “boldly come out to recognize the Naga struggle as a political struggle by recognizing the historical and political rights of the Nagas.”
Further, they noted that Modi’s leadership has “provided the space for the Nagas to exercise their collective wisdom and effort for the first time in the history of our political struggle by recognizing the political and historical rights of the Nagas and thus, trust has been built.”
The Forum, led by leaders of various churches and church based institutions, hoped that the PM’s office thus act with “wisdom and precision without bringing in any element that would thwart the negotiation process.”
At this juncture, “reading the minds of the general public and the Frontal Organizations in Nagaland, there seems to be no other agenda more important than finding an amicable solution,” the Forum observed.
It, therefore, urged the PM to “sincerely listen to the voice of the people and exercise wisdom and discernment in tackling the present situation with utmost care and consideration.”
While praying for both the Naga and the Indian leaders, the Forum cautioned that “To deflate and disturb the momentum that has been going on in good speed in recent months will kill the confidence and trust of the people. The Nagas long to seize this moment so that a better society will emerge in our life time.”
NPRAAF: The Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) has, meanwhile, written to the President of India, Rmanath Kovind, to ‘promulgate ordinance under Article 123’ of the Indian Constitution in order to affect the postponement of the Nagaland State General Assembly Elections 2018.
Invoking the mass call for favouring solution over elections in Nagaland State, the Forum suggested that in the event of the Election Commission of India notifies election dates, then the President of India should “seek the recommendation of the Union Cabinet to pass an Ordinance stalling the State Assembly after the completion of current tenure which expires on 13 March 2018 instead of allowing the incumbents to function as the caretaker government until a new government is installed and thereafter impose President’s Rule.”
“Such a situation will give ample time for both the GoI and Nagaland including other Naga National Groups which are yet to join the peace talks to engage in a meaningful dialogue leading to final settlement of the Naga issue,” noted the NPRAAF.
Under such a wide call for ‘solution before election,’ the NPRAAF requested the President to intervene directly by “utilizing Article 123 of the Constitution, which confers upon the President legislative powers to promulgate ordinances.”
“It is the right time for the President to promulgate an ordinance which is meant to address extraordinary circumstances that arise when Parliament is in recess.”
YTC: Urging the Government of India to expedite ongoing Naga political talk, the Yimchungrü Tribal Council (YTC) today said an ‘honourable and acceptable solution’ is the need of the hour instead of election.
The YTC, in a press issued by its General Secretary S Tsuyihba, said that the Council in a meeting held at Shamator on January 9, has decided has resolved to urged the GoI for deferring the upcoming elections to the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland in order to enable a peaceful resolution to the ongoing peace process.
