Nagas ready for 'inclusive, acceptable & honourable political solution', say WC, NNPGs

KOHIMA: The Working Committee of the Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs) led by its Convener N. Kitovi Zhimomi, met R.N Ravi, the GoI Interlocutor on Indo-Naga political talks in Dimapur, Nagaland on February 20, 2021.

 

The working committee in a press statement today said that it enquired and made several clarifications from the GoI interlocutor on the pressing matters of the impeding Indo-Naga political settlement. Both sides agreed that there are Naga elements at work to prolong and sabotage the signing of Indo-Naga agreement, it said, adding that, over the last few months various groups and organisations have spammed the media outlets with propaganda and fake news in an effort to stay relevant and confuse, mislead Naga tribes and civil societies.

 

The committee said that the political, economic and social turmoil in recent times have slowed down the progress on all spheres and the Naga question too has lost precious time, nevertheless, WC, NNPGs believes that the settlement bound Naga tribes and civil societies must stay focussed on the objective and not be swayed by the narrative of habitual propagandists on Naga issue.

 

The working committee confirmed that the GOI, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the helm of affairs, is formulating the Indo-Naga political solution based on a relationship that is honourable and enduring peaceful co-existence. It stated that there is no ambiguity, as the 17th November, 2017 ‘Agreed Position’ signed between GoI and WC, NNPGs and subsequent negotiated status paper is there for all tribal leaders, village headmen, former and present legislators, politicians, social activists, academicians and general public to study.

 

Post-settlement, there is sufficient historical and political space and scope to reflect Naga characteristics in Naga areas of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam through political and administrative measures even as the integration of Nagas remains a democratic aspiration, it said.

 

WC also pointed out that there are elements fooling fellow Nagas in Manipur that WC, NNPGs is pursuing solution for Nagas of Nagaland, and said that this press statement puts to rest their diabolical and self isolating agenda. “Those who ran away from inclusive solution can only think and propagate exclusivity”- it stated.

 

Stating that Nagas are prepared for inclusive, acceptable and honourable political solution, the WC added that the reasoning of 14 tribes of Nagaland, NTC, NGBF, ENPO, CNTC and minority communities and the rest of the Naga populace, including Nagas in other states and in Myanmar is not for anyone to question. The seven Naga National political groups under the banner of WC, NNPGs, is the messenger between GoI and the Naga people, it clarified.

 

“The negotiations have concluded with active participation and co-operation of the Naga tribes and customary guardians. This is not the hour to waste on abject propaganda”, the WC asserted.

 

The statement also mentioned that three months after the mainland news interview of Indian Army Chief Gen. Manoj Mukund Naravane cited that NSCN (K) Leader Gen. Niki Sumi and his followers including Starson Lamkang and fifty two others had surrendered to the Indian army, there has been no response either of denial or acceptance or surrender from Gen. Niki Sumi. Prior to this, in November 2020, the Convener, WC, NNPGs had sent an official letter to Gen. Niki Sumi to partner WC in the peace process which was politely declined. Much water has flowed down the river since. The Naga people deserve to know the truth with regard to the status of Gen. Niki Sumi and his group, it said.

 

The clarification of GOI through the interlocutor on this matter:

 

The Government of India has made it crystal clear that the political negotiations with all entities had concluded as on 31st October 2019. There will be no more talks. The question of starting new political talks with the new group or for that matter fresh ceasefire with any other group is ruled out. Gen. Naravane, the Chief of the Indian Army and his statement cannot be a concoction and therefore the Interlocutor confirmed the official position of the government of India in saying that Gen. Niki Sumi surrendered, currently numbering about hundred and twenty workers.

 

“It is therefore appropriate that if there has been an act of surrender as was declared by Indian army chief on 26th Dec. 2020 and which continues to be the official stand of GoI, the surrendered officers and men may honourably leave the political matters to Naga National leaders and workers sacrificing much to bring home honourable and acceptable solution through political negotiations”, the WC NNPGs stated.

 

WC, NNPGs also appealed to Gen. Niki Sumi and his men to refrain from encouraging and recruiting innocent people to join his band.

 

Once again the GoI has reaffirmed its position on the Naga issue that there will be an inclusive solution. Naga integration and other unresolved matters would be pursued through democratic political process, WC, NNPGs has negotiated much to secure and safeguard the political, historical and administrative interest of Naga people and land in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. This remains an integral part of the impending GoI-WC, NNPG Agreement, the press statement affirmed.