TNR appeals for mechanism to conclude Naga peace process
Dimapur, March 8 (MExN): The consultation called by the Government of Nagaland on March 9 is an opportunity to move beyond the practice of passing resolutions on the Naga Peace Process, The Naga Rising group said on Tuesday.
Instead, it suggested that a collective response and plan of action should be framed in order to find a way forward on the Naga peace process.
In a statement issued in public interest, The Naga Rising Group stated that it supported “the clear assertion of the Government of India that there is only one peace process, which is inclusive and eventually there will be only one agreement as we cannot fragment the Naga issue.”
“The NPGs must take a common position/approach on the peace process leaving aside their intractable differences,” it said, while appealing to the ‘august gathering’ which includes all MLAs, presidents of all political parties, representatives of tribal groups, civil society groups of the state, to “mandate the appointment of a Peace Initiative or group of mediator with representatives from all sections of Naga society to work for the convergence of NPGs and help facilitate the signing of a single agreement.”
In the statement, The Naga Rising group also reiterated some of its thoughts and ideas on the Naga Peace Process that it had put forward on other occasions, and said that it supported “early resolution as desired by the masses.”
“Solution must be honourable as repeatedly assured by the Government of India (GoI) to the Naga public since peace talks began 25 years ago,” it said while emphasizing that the negotiations must be based on a ‘give and take’ approach and any agreement signed must be mutually acceptable to both the GoI and the Naga Political Groups and cannot be imposed.
In the context of the current impasse in the peace process, the group proposed that the March 9 meeting work out a mechanism to conclude the peace process in the interest of a peaceful, inclusive, and honourable solution.
“It is a gathering of the best minds from all over Nagaland and we remain hopeful that the collective wisdom generated from this meeting will show us the path to move forward,” it added.
