Our Correspondent
Phek | April 21
Nagaland Planning & Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Neiba Kronu today said that Nagas are in a very crucial stage of Naga political struggle and time has come to take a wise decision as a wrong decision at this moment will be blamed by generations to come.
Speaking at the 30th general session of Nagaland Gaon Burah (GB) Federation (NGBA) as the chief guest at Phek town, the minister said, “Now is the right time to take the right decision as the negotiations have been going on for 25 years.”
“We are not saying we will forego flag, sovereignty or constitution but for now accept what is possible and continue with the democratic process,” he said.
If we do not take a solution now, may not be good for the Nagas as the issue is affecting all the Nagas in general, he said, adding that even the elected members are not willing to go to elections as it not easy to run the government under the present circumstances and therefore it should be solved so as to concentrate on taking the economy of the state forward.
The Minister also conveyed that the elected representatives want the Naga society to decide by now whether to go for elections without solution or no elections without solution.
The elected representatives will find difficult to accept any last moment decision not to hold election, he said.
Citing that Egypt and Vietnam have faced war with other countries yet they managed to regain their economy, he said adding that Nagas should also inculcate work culture as Nagaland is bestowed with fertile soil as well as natural resources and minerals.
Exploring petroleum products alone can earn thousands of crore per annum for Nagaland, he said while reiterating the resolution of the Naga issue can shift the focus to economic development.
Also speaking at the session as the guest of honour, MLA Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu said “What more is there to talk when the Government of India, they themselves have declared that talks have concluded on 31st October 2019, if so all we have to ask GOI, is to implement what has been agreed with our National Workers but before it is put to implementation the competency clauses should be made known to the general public.
If the talk has really ended, Nagas should request the GoI to declare the competency clauses agreed with the Working Committee of NNPGs and NSCN (IM) before implementing it, he said.
Any solution should be above Article 371(A) and the 16 Point Agreement or the Statehood, and this should be the demand of the Nagas, Azo said.
“Any form of solution/settlement comes about should be above the present Article 371 A and nothing below. It should also be a solution to end an era of extortion, threat, killing, kidnapping, taxation so and so forth,” he opined.
But nevertheless, he said, “Our aspirations or demand for a complete sovereignty will continue till we achieve it,” he said.
