Dimapur, March 14 (MExN): The Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs) on Monday said that the UDA government has been conducting pre-emptive strikes in the corridors of power in New Delhi seeking the ‘highest offer’ in the impending Indo-Naga political solution, and going against the principle of Agreed Position.
“The United Democratic Alliance (UDA), declaring opposition-less government to facilitate Indo-Naga political solution, appear to be traversing a dangerous uncharted territory, in the manner of Naga People's Convention (NPC) of 1957,” it said in a press release issued through its Media Cell.
The Committee reminded that the NPC had brokered statehood for Nagaland “in the hope of ending conflict and bloodshed in Nagaland,” and in the process stole the people's mandate and authority, for which it was “neither forgiven nor forgotten.”
The unconditional support of all Naga tribes, the Church, Peace mediation members, indigenous non-Naga communities, Nagaland GBs and all civil societies guided the WC, NNPGs into signing the Agreed Position on November 17, 2017, and the entire Naga people are aware that the then Government of India’s (GoI) Interlocutor RN Ravi and Naga negotiators officially declared the political negotiations as concluded on October 31, 2019, the release stated.
In this context, the WC, NNPGs stated that the “declaration of conclusion of talks marks the end of facilitator's role,” and the onus lies with negotiators and GoI to fulfil people's aspiration.
“The Indo-Naga issue is not an antique jewellery to be auctioned in New Delhi. Negotiations have concluded between GoI and Naga negotiators. There are better and greater communication channels between GoI and WC, NNPGs,” it asserted.
The release stated that the Committee has always maintained “a fine balance between Naga historical right and the practical reality of the present situation,” and the GoI has acknowledged the Naga people's political aspiration.
On this stand, the Agreed Position was signed in which, “... the GoI recognises the political and historical rights of the Nagas to self determine their future in consonance with their distinct history and identity,” it said. The Indo-Naga solution would also encompass contemporary political realities for honourable and enduring peaceful relationship, it added.
It went on to state that the WC, NNPGs has maintained a set parameter in its diplomatic conducts with Nagaland government, which is a by-product and agent of the Indian constitution and, “therefore, always a party to GoI’s interlocutory on everything that is agreed upon between the WC, NNPGs and the GoI on negotiated matters.”
The members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, as elected representatives of the Naga People, definitely understand the sacrifices and commitment of the Naga populace as well as the national workers in the last eight decades, it said, while adding that “The imposed Indian electoral mandate and the sacrificial Naga people's mandate for Naga political rights are different subjects altogether.”
On the Nagaland Assembly Elections, it said that in 2018, while the Naga people peacefully and unanimously endorsed non participation in the Indian elections, the BJP adopted the slogan "Election for Solution" which Ram Mhadav, BJP spokesperson and NE in-charge, declared to the Naga people and the WC, NNPGs too relented and elections were conducted. “If elections are announced in Nagaland without Indo-Naga Political Agreement, there will be unprecedented reactions and harsh consequences from Naga people whom they betrayed,” the release stated.
Further, it referred to UDA Chairperson TR Zeliang’s recent statements in the media and advised him to “understand the word ‘facilitator’ and whether he is facilitating or doing something else.” Stating that “his media utterances sounds more like a third party negotiator in the Indo-Naga political talks,” the WC, NNPGs said that the “The UDA Chairperson, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as an ally... must bear moral responsibility should the October 31, 2019 declaration of conclusion of political talks by all negotiating entities, is kept in the backburner.”
“To hurt the Naga sentiment, ignoring the repeated appeal and demand of apex tribal bodies and civil societies, as history recalls, would invite the most painful humiliation for any leader,” it added.
