Stick to what you dedicated: Nagaland authorities to Centre, Naga insurgent teams

By Express News Service

GUWAHATI: As the settlement of the “Naga political issue” continues to hold hearth over insurgent group NSCN-IM’s demand for Naga flag and Naga structure, the Nagaland authorities urged the Centre in addition to the Naga extremist teams to not again out from what has been dedicated, in writing and in any other case.

Former Chief Minister TR Zeliang, who’s the chairman of ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), stated UDA had conveyed the emotions of the Naga negotiating teams to central leaders that the Government of India mustn’t deviate from what had been dedicated to the Nagas by former interlocutor RN Ravi, who’s now the governor of Tamil Nadu, and incumbent interlocutor AK Mishra.

“Both parties should not back out from what has been committed to each other so that the Nagas can expect the talks to come to a logical conclusion at the earliest,” Zeliang stated in a video message.

He stated “loose remarks” made by some Naga leaders primarily based on speculations and hearsays triggered misunderstanding and confusion among the many Nagas. He appealed to all right-thinking Naga leaders to chorus from doing so.

Without mentioning the identify of former Chief Minister SC Jamir, Zeliang stated, “We understand that everyone, including lawmakers and public leaders, has the right to speak out for the common welfare of the Nagas. However, one must remember that unlike the 1960s when overground groups were part of the (peace) negotiations, it is the Naga nationalist groups that are part of the negotiations today.”

He stated because the undivided armed group Naga National Council was not consulted previous to the signing of the 16-Point Agreement within the Nineteen Sixties by the Government of India and the Nagas, the armed battle continued.

Jamir is the one surviving signatory of the 16-Point Agreement that led to Nagaland’s creation as a state in 1963. Recently, he had warned of an impending earthquake in Nagaland with an epicenter in Delhi. Some different legislators had made sure different statements that the insurgent group NSCN-IM had taken be aware of.

“UDA wants that all Naga nationalist groups are part of the long-awaited peace accord in order to not repeat the mistake of the past. Any unwarranted statement made by Naga leaders, which is outside the parameters of ongoing negotiations between Naga negotiating groups and the Government of India, will mislead the Naga people before the draft agreement is formulated by the Government of India and placed before Naga leaders,” Zeliang stated.

Appreciating the “genuine” effort of the negotiating events, he stated one mustn’t imagine that the ultimate settlement on this complicated and delicate problem could be inked secretly and imposed on the Nagas.

“We trust and believe that once the negotiating parties have arrived at a common ground, they will surely consult all apex tribal leaders and the state government before signing the accord,” Zeliang stated.

He dismissed the speculations that post-settlement, the state of Nagaland will stop to exist and that the Intanki National Park will likely be deforested and allotted to the Naga rebels for resettlement.

“The 60 MLAs have committed to pave way for a smooth transition as and when there is a final settlement. However, the demand for the resignation of the democratically-elected members at this juncture by individuals and certain sections of society is uncalled for. UDA requests all Naga organisations and Naga leaders to avoid issuing public statements based on speculations and hearsays,” he added.